Wire · founder news, decoded · regulatory
EU Slaps Google With $1 Billion Fine For Search Bias, Play Store Restrictions And Digital ...
◆ Published
24 July 2026
◆ Topic
regulatory
◆ Geography
◆ Source
◆ Verified
Fusion42 · 24 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
The EU fined Google €890 million ($1 billion) for breaching the Digital Markets Act by giving preferential treatment to its own services in search results and restricting app developers' ability to promote alternative distribution channels on Google Play. Google must comply within 60 days or face penalties up to 5% of global turnover.
◆ The Wire takeaway
If you sell apps or services through Google Play or compete in search results, the EU just forced Google to stop blocking your direct customer relationships. You now have a legal right to tell users about cheaper alternatives and direct them to your own store or website without Google's cut.
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◆ Topics
dma · google · search-bias · app-stores · eu-competition · regulatory-enforcement