Google hit with $1 billion in fines as EU braces for Trump battle
On Thursday, Google became the third tech giant slapped with massive Digital Markets Act (DMA) fines, ordered to pay more than $1 billion for two serious violations that the European Commission (EC) found went unchecked for way too long. In a press release , the EC explained that the fines were due to Google “self-preferencing its own services on Google Search” ($522 million) and for anti-steering practices, like charging fees or restricting app developers from directing consumers to cheaper purchase options outside of Google Play ($488 million). Google has 60 days to make changes to its services, or else risk even more daily fines. To comply with the DMA, the EC has asked Google to "treat third-party services that feature on Google's search results in a fair and non-discriminatory manner” compared to its own services in categories like shopping, hotels, and flights. And Google must also allow app developers, “both technically and contractually,” to freely sign up users and promote offers outside of Google Play. Read full article Comments
On Thursday, Google became the third tech giant slapped with massive Digital Markets Act (DMA) fines, ordered to pay more than $1 billion for two serious violations that the European Commission (EC) found went unchecked for way too long.
Google becomes third tech giant to face huge fines under the Digital Markets Act.
Google can appeal the decision, and if it does, it may get backing from the Trump administration.
Ahead of the EC’s decision, 25 Republican lawmakers urged Donald Trump in a letter to retaliate against the anticipated Google fine by launching trade investigations. Such a move could threaten the European Union with tariffs or restrict the EU from accessing US tech, if any resulting probes confirm lawmakers’ fears that the EU plans to use the DMA as a “tool of economic extraction and regulatory coercion against American firms,” Reuters reported .
