The EU fines Google $1 billion for violating the Digital Markets Act, escalating tensions as the Trump administration threatens to limit US market access for the EU in response. Google is making compliance changes while considering an appeal.
<p>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.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/commission-fines-google-eur890-million-breaches-digital-markets-act-2026-07-23">press release</a>, 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).</p>
<p>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.</p><p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/google-hit-with-1-billion-in-fines-as-eu-braces-for-trump-battle/">Read full article</a></p>
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# Google hit with $1 billion in fines as EU braces for Trump battle
Source: [https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/google-hit-with-1-billion-in-fines-as-eu-braces-for-trump-battle/](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/google-hit-with-1-billion-in-fines-as-eu-braces-for-trump-battle/)
“It is important to make clear that the EU’s access to the US market is not guaranteed and can be limited should the EU continue to pursue discriminatory acts, policies, and practices in the digital sector,” the letter said\.
In response to the letter, the EC’s spokesperson Thomas Regnier told Reuters that “when it comes to our rules, the EU has the sovereign right to regulate economic activities on its territory\.”
“This of course also applies to our digital regulation, where we will keep enforcing our rules in a fair and non\-discriminatory manner—as we have always done,” Regnier said\.
Seemingly, the EU is still hopeful that a diplomatic path will emerge allowing it to enforce the DMA without clashing with the Trump administration\.
“We believe there is significant potential to deepen cooperation across a broad set of digital issues, including those identified in the EU\-US Joint Statement, while respecting our regulatory autonomy,” Regnier said\.
## Google rushes to make changes
Risking even higher fines for delaying updates, Google does not appear to be depending on Trump quickly stepping in to block the fines\.
The EC confirmed that Google has already “rolled out changes related to Google’s steering terms,” which the Commission said showed “good progress towards compliance\.”
Additionally, Google has conducted testing on “changes to how it presents its own services on Google Search for free services such as shopping, hotels and flights,” as well as “changes to how it presents shopping ads and content related services, such as sports\.”
The search giant has also said that it will voluntarily make changes to AI Overviews and AI Mode to similarly align with the EC’s expectations and avoid self\-preferencing or anti\-steering practices\.
Ars could not immediately reach Google for comment, but its President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, told Reuters that Google disagreed with the decision and is considering an appeal\.
## Yelp applauds Google DMA fine
Although Google is cooperating with the EC, the company is clearly upset about required changes that it claims degrade its popular products just to satisfy “a small group of self\-serving complainants\.”
The European Commission fined Google $1 billion for violating the Digital Markets Act by prioritizing its own services in search rankings and restricting app developers from communicating with users outside the Play Store.
The European Commission fined Google €890 million under the Digital Markets Act, prompting the US to warn that the sanction risks undermining the EU-US trade deal.
The European Commission is reportedly preparing to fine Google €1 billion under the Digital Markets Act for favoring its own services in search and restricting app developers, risking U.S. backlash.