Google has been fined €890 million by the European Union for giving its own apps an unfair advantage over rival services. The penalty is the first major enforcement action under the EU's new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to ensure fair competition in the digital sector.
According to the European Commission, Google violated the DMA by favoring its own shopping, hotel, and flight search results over those of competitors. The company also allegedly prevented app developers from informing users about cheaper options outside Google's platforms.
The fine is significant but represents a small fraction of Google's annual revenue. The EU has stepped up scrutiny of large technology companies in recent years, passing laws like the DMA to curb their market power.
Google responded by saying it disagrees with the decision and will review its options. The company stated that it has made changes to comply with the rules, but the EU found these measures insufficient.
This case sets a precedent for future enforcement of the DMA, which also applies to other major tech firms like Apple and Amazon. The EU can impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company's global annual turnover for violations.