European Commission Charges Google with Antitrust Violations Under Digital Markets Act

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings charging Google’s parent company, Alphabet, with breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The charges focus on Google’s alleged favoritism towards its own services—such as Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights—in search results, and its restrictive practices on the Google Play Store. (reuters.com)

Allegations of Favoritism in Search Results

The Commission’s investigation revealed that Google may be prioritizing its own services over those of competitors in search rankings. Teresa Ribera, European Executive Vice President for Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, stated,

"In the first case, our preliminary view is that Alphabet is in breach of the Digital Markets Act by favouring its own products on the Google Search results page, which means suppliers and competitors do not benefit from fair ranking practices."

This practice could potentially harm European businesses and consumers by limiting access to diverse options. (reuters.com)

Restrictions on App Developers in the Google Play Store

The Commission also found that Alphabet imposes restrictions on app developers, preventing them from directing users to alternative distribution channels outside the Google Play Store. Ribera commented,

Alphabet does not effectively allow Android phone users to be told about or directed to cheaper offers from app developers outside the Google Play store.

This limitation could restrict consumer choice and inflate costs. (reuters.com)

Potential Penalties and Google’s Response

If found in violation of the DMA, companies can face fines up to 10% of their global annual revenue. For Alphabet, this could amount to approximately $35 billion, based on its $350 billion earnings in 2024. (reuters.com)

Google has expressed concerns over the Commission’s findings. Oliver Bethell, Google’s Senior Director for Competition, stated,

The Commission's findings require us to make even more changes to how we show certain types of Search results, which would make it harder for people to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses.

He further argued that the proposed changes could lead to increased costs for consumers and hinder innovation. (reuters.com)

Broader Implications

This action is part of the European Union’s broader effort to regulate major tech companies under the DMA, aiming to ensure fair competition and protect consumers. The EU has previously fined Google €2.4 billion for similar practices related to Google Shopping. (ft.com)

The Commission’s decisions also come amid rising tensions with the United States, as President Donald Trump has criticized EU fines on U.S. tech companies, calling them a "form of taxation." (ft.com)

Next Steps

Alphabet has the opportunity to challenge the preliminary charges or implement compliance measures before the EU’s final ruling. The Commission’s actions underscore its commitment to enforcing the DMA and promoting a competitive digital market in Europe.

EU Charges Google with Antitrust Violations Under Digital Markets Act:

• Google, Apple hit by EU regulatory crackdown
• Brussels takes action against Google and Apple despite Trump threat
• European Union lays out how Apple must open its tech up to competitors under bloc’s digital rules

What are the potential consequences for Google if found in violation of the DMA?

European Commission Charges Google with Antitrust Violations Under digital Markets Act

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings charging GoogleS parent company, Alphabet, with breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The charges focus on Google’s alleged favoritism towards its own services—such as Google shopping, Hotels, and Flights—in search results, and its restrictive practices on the Google Play Store. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-2-charges-under-landmark-eu-rules-risks-fines-2025-03-19/?utmsource=openai”>reuters.com)

Allegations of Favoritism in Search Results

The Commission’s examination revealed that Google might potentially be prioritizing its own services over those of competitors in search rankings. Teresa Ribera, European Executive Vice President for Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, stated,

"In the first case, our preliminary view is that Alphabet is in breach of the Digital Markets Act by favouring its own products on the Google Search results page, which means suppliers and competitors do not benefit from fair ranking practices."

this practice could potentially harm European businesses and consumers by limiting access to diverse options. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-2-charges-under-landmark-eu-rules-risks-fines-2025-03-19/?utmsource=openai”>reuters.com)

Restrictions on App Developers in the Google Play Store

The Commission also found that Alphabet imposes restrictions on app developers,preventing them from directing users to alternative distribution channels outside the Google Play Store. Ribera commented,

Alphabet does not effectively allow Android phone users to be told about or directed to cheaper offers from app developers outside the Google Play store.

This limitation could restrict consumer choice and inflate costs. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-2-charges-under-landmark-eu-rules-risks-fines-2025-03-19/?utmsource=openai”>reuters.com)

Potential Penalties and Google’s Response

if found in violation of the DMA,companies can face fines up to 10% of their global annual revenue. For Alphabet, this could amount to approximately $35 billion, based on its $350 billion earnings in 2024. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-2-charges-under-landmark-eu-rules-risks-fines-2025-03-19/?utmsource=openai”>reuters.com)

Google has expressed concerns over the Commission’s findings. Oliver Bethell, Google’s senior Director for Competition, stated,

The Commission's findings require us to make even more changes to how we show certain types of Search results, which would make it harder for people to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses.

He further argued that the proposed changes could lead to increased costs for consumers and hinder innovation. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-2-charges-under-landmark-eu-rules-risks-fines-2025-03-19/?utmsource=openai”>reuters.com)

Broader Implications

This action is part of the European Union’s broader effort to regulate major tech companies under the DMA,aiming to ensure fair competition and protect consumers. The EU has previously fined Google €2.4 billion for similar practices related to Google Shopping.(<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/a9d0bde3-f10e-4113-b21c-cb02bf31a8f2?utmsource=openai”>ft.com)

The Commission’s decisions also come amid rising tensions with the United states, as President Donald Trump has criticized EU fines on U.S. tech companies, calling them a "form of taxation." (<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/a9d0bde3-f10e-4113-b21c-cb02bf31a8f2?utmsource=openai”>ft.com)

Next steps

Alphabet has the opportunity to challenge the preliminary charges or implement compliance measures before the EU’s final ruling. The Commission’s actions underscore its commitment to enforcing the DMA and promoting a competitive digital market in Europe.

Key Takeaways: EU Antitrust Charges Against Google

| Area of Concern | Details | Potential Impact |

| —————————- | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————————– |

| Search Result Favoritism | Allegedly prioritizing Google’s own services (Shopping, Hotels, Flights) in search rankings, potentially disadvantaging competitors.| Reduced visibility for competing services, potentially leading to decreased traffic and revenue. |

| App Developer Restrictions | Imposing restrictions on app developers that prevent them from informing users about or directing them to alternative distribution channels outside the Google Play Store. | Limited consumer choice, potentially inflated costs due to lack of competition among app distribution platforms.|

| potential Penalties | Fines up to 10% of global annual revenue for DMA violations. | Important financial impact on Alphabet (potentially $35 billion based on 2024 earnings).|

| Google’s Response | Expresses concerns that required changes will make it harder for users to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses. | Potential increase in costs for consumers and hindrance of innovation, according to Google. |

EU Charges Google with antitrust Violations Under Digital Markets Act:

• <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-hit-with-2-charges-under-landmark-eu-rules-risks-fines-2025-03-19/?utmsource=openai”>Google, Apple hit by EU regulatory crackdown
• <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/a9d0bde3-f10e-4113-b21c-cb02bf31a8f2?utmsource=openai”>Brussels takes action against Google and Apple despite Trump threat
• <a href="https://apnews.com/article/8f1c2f1fda1d3ffeed50322df8093817?utmsource=openai”>European Union lays out how Apple must open its tech up to competitors under bloc’s digital rules

What do you think about the EU’s action against Google? share your thoughts in the comments below!