European Union regulators fined Alphabet €890 million (approximately $1 billion) for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission issued two separate penalties following an investigation into the company’s business practices.
Regulators concluded that Google gave preferential treatment to its own services within search results. The commission also found that Google unfairly restricted app developers from directing users to purchasing options outside the Google Play Store.
This ruling represents the first time Google has been penalized under the DMA. The regulatory action coincides with the Trump administration imposing new tariffs on various trading partners, including the EU.
These combined pressures arrive as Alphabet stock faces stress from a recent earnings report. That report highlighted heavy spending on artificial intelligence and negative free cash flow.