EU prepares record fine against Google under Digital Markets Act

EU Plans Record DMA Fine Against Google

The European Union is preparing to impose a record fine on Alphabet’s Google under the Digital Markets Act, according to a report published Saturday by Germany’s Handelsblatt, citing sources within the European Commission.handelsblatt

A High Triple-Digit Million Euro Penalty

The fine, expected to reach the high triple-digit million euro range, would mark the largest penalty ever levied under the DMA since the law’s enforcement began in March 2024. The case centers on allegations that Google unfairly favors its own services in search results — a practice known as self-preferencing that European regulators have long targeted.devdiscourse

The Commission’s decision is reportedly nearing completion, with an official announcement expected before the summer recess. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will have the final say on the penalty, according to Handelsblatt’s sources.handelsblatt

Google’s Compliance Efforts Fall Short

The fine comes despite Google’s attempts to settle the matter. In early May, Reuters reported that Google proposed changes to its spam policy to address Commission concerns, offering stakeholders an opportunity to comment. Earlier in May, the Commission granted Google additional time to respond after finding its initial compliance proposal insufficient.reuters

European publishers and tech firms have grown impatient with the pace of enforcement. In March, a coalition including the European Publishers Council, whose members include Axel Springer and News Corp, wrote to EU leaders urging regulators to conclude the investigation and impose a penalty.yahoo

Escalating EU Enforcement Against Big Tech

The planned DMA fine represents another chapter in Brussels’ long-running regulatory battles with Google. In September 2025, the Commission fined Google €2.95 billion for abusing its dominance in advertising technology. That case involved a different legal framework — EU antitrust rules under Article 102 — rather than the DMA.loyensloeff

The Digital Markets Act, which designates large platforms as “gatekeepers” subject to specific behavioral obligations, has yet to produce a fine of this magnitude. The largest DSA penalty to date was the €120 million fine imposed on X in December 2025. A DMA fine in the high hundreds of millions would represent a sharp escalation in the Commission’s willingness to use its newer regulatory tools against major technology companies.euperspectives