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Google Fined ₹7,600 Crore by EU Again: Search Bias and Play Store Rules Trigger Fresh Penalt
The European Union has imposed an additional fine of approximately ₹7,600 crore on Google for two new violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). According to the EU, Google gave its own services an unfair advantage in search results and prevented app developers from offering cheaper deals on alternative platforms. This move raises concerns about escalating trade tensions between the US and Europe, while Google has announced plans to challenge the decision in court.
Almost immediately after the imposition of over $1 billion in fines against Google for DMA infringements, the European Union imposed yet another fine of about ₹7,600 crore for two different rule infringements. In this instance, Google had blocked lower cost offers and subscriptions from being listed in any other app store besides its own.
This comes amid a rather awkward timing, just before the expiration of temporary tariffs applied globally on several nations by US President Donald Trump. The United States' trade representative believes that the actions of the EU appear to be part of a ploy to take revenge on US tech companies, resulting in a new trade spat between the US and the EU. However, according to top officials of the European Commission, the EU is entitled to regulate foreign firms in its jurisdiction; this is not related to the tariffs at all.
The fine has been imposed in two separate cases. First, a fine of €460 million was levied for search engine bias. According to the EU, Google unfairly prioritized its own services-such as Google Shopping, hotel listings, and flight deals-over rival services in its search results. Second, a fine of €430 million was imposed regarding app store restrictions. It is alleged that app developers on the Google Play Store were prevented from offering customers cheaper subscriptions and deals via external websites or alternative app stores.
