World

EU slaps $1.4b fine on Google over app store and search

By AAP Newswire

Jul 23, 2026

Google logos are shown when searched on Google in New York — Google blasted the fine, which it said would hurt European businesses and consumers. -AP

The European Union has hit Google with a fine of 890 million euros ($A1.4 billion) after it said the technology behemoth broke digital antitrust regulations by setting up Google Play and its ubiquitous search engine to corral consumers towards its own services and apps to the detriment of competitors.

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It was the latest major crackdown on Big Tech by Brussels, which has led the world in reining in some of the world's largest companies from Silicon Valley to Beijing.

Google had recently lost its appeal of a $US4.5 billion antitrust fine imposed for throttling competition and reducing consumer choice through the dominance of its mobile Android operating system.

The European Commission, the bloc's executive branch and highest antitrust enforcer, said it was acting in the interest of consumers after running an antitrust investigation of Google.

"The best products should succeed because they're better, not because they're owned by the company running the search engine," said Teresa Ribera, the commission's executive vice-president for clean, just and competitive t.Â

"And European consumers have a right to be told by app developers where to sign up to the best offers, even when the app store owner does not get a cut."

Google's president of global affairs, Kent Walker, blasted the fine as "product degradation driven by a small group of self-serving complainants" that would have a negative effect on European businesses and consumers.

He said the EU's Digital Markets Act forced Google "to strip away real-time search features Europeans love - like instant pricing and direct availability for hotels, flights, and restaurants - and dismantle safety protections on Google Play".

Brussels has ratcheted up the pressure on US and Chinese tech giants despite the risk of incurring the wrath of President Donald Trump, who has lashed out at the 27-nation bloc's digital regulations and vowed to retaliate if American tech companies are penalised.

The EU describes the world's seven tech giants - Amazon, Apple, Google parent Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance - as "gatekeepers" that control access for consumers.

"In the EU, businesses have the right to compete fairly. Gatekeepers have the obligation to ensure a level playing field and consumers the right to choose for cheaper alternative offers," European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said.