Google receives billion-dollar fine for favoring its own services

The penalty was divided into two parts. The first fine, of 460 million euros (R$2.76 billion), is related to the privileged treatment given by Google to its shopping, hotel, transport and sports services in search results.

According to the European Commission, the company's own products appear in more visible positions, such as at the top of pages, and receive more prominent graphic resources and filters. Competing platforms offering similar services would not have the same exposure conditions.

The second fine, of 430 million euros (R$2.58 billion), was imposed due to restrictions imposed on developers of applications available on Google Play.

According to the European body, Google prevented these companies from freely advertising offers available on other channels and from concluding contracts directly with users outside the app store.

The Commission also concluded that the fees charged by the company on these transactions and the period during which the commissions were required exceeded the limits considered compatible with the Digital Markets Law.

In addition to paying the fines, Google will have to take measures to end the irregularities. The company must offer fair and non-discriminatory treatment to third-party services displayed in search results.

The company will also need to allow Google Play developers to advertise promotions, present payment alternatives and close contracts with consumers through other channels.

Google will have 60 days to comply with the determinations. Otherwise, you may be required to make periodic payments equivalent to up to 5% of your worldwide revenue.

According to the European Commission, the company has already started testing changes in the presentation of Google Search results and changed some rules related to directing users to external platforms. Brussels assessed the measures as progress, but considered that other measures were still needed.

Google may appeal the decisions.

Owner of services such as Google Search, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, the company has already received other billion-dollar fines for violating European Union competition rules.

The penalties previously applied exceed 11 billion euros (R$66 billion). Among them are a fine of 2.95 billion euros (R$17.7 billion), imposed in 2025 for practices considered abusive in the digital advertising market, and another of 4.125 billion euros (R$24.75 billion), related to the Android system.

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