Google becomes the third technology giant to face heavy fines under the Digital Markets Act. Google becomes the third technology giant to face heavy fines under the Digital Markets Act. On Thursday, Google became the third technology giant to be hit with substantial fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), with an order to pay more than $1 billion for two serious violations that, according to the European Commission (EC), had gone unchecked for far too long.

In a press release, the EC explained that the fines stem from Google having “favored its own services on Google Search” ($522 million) and from anti-steering practices, such as charging fees or imposing restrictions on app developers who direct consumers toward cheaper purchasing options outside Google Play ($488 million). Google has 60 days to modify its services or risk additional daily fines. To comply with the DMA, the EC asked Google to “treat third-party services appearing in Google search results …The most significant signals to emerge so far indicate competitive pressure and demand.

For companies, the issue is not just volume growth: the quality of revenue, the resilience of the customer portfolio and the sustainability of the net margin in the next quarter also matter. In the short term, the decisive lever remains commercial execution: market-entry timing, channels and market selection could determine the difference between expansion and margin compression. In a press release, the EC explained that the fines stem from Google having “favored its own services on Google Search” ($522 million) and from anti-steering practices, such as charging fees or imposing restrictions on app developers who direct consumers toward cheaper purchasing options outside Google Play ($488 million).

Google has 60 days to modify its services or risk additional daily fines. To comply with the DMA, the EC asked Google to “treat third-party services appearing in Google search results fairly and without discrimination” compared with its own services in categories such as shopping, hotels and flights. Google must also allow app developers, “both technically and contractually,” to register users freely and promote offers outside Google Play.

Google can appeal the decision and, if it does, it could receive support from the Trump administration. Before the EC’s decision, 25 Republican lawmakers urged Donald Trump, in a letter, to respond to the expected fine against Google by launching trade investigations. Such a move could expose the European Union to tariffs or restrict the EU’s access to US technology if any investigations confirmed the …For companies, the issue is not just volume growth: the quality of revenue, the resilience of the customer portfolio and the sustainability of the net margin in the next quarter also matter.

The most significant signals to emerge so far indicate competitive pressure and demand. In the short term, the decisive lever remains commercial execution: market-entry timing, channels and market selection could determine the difference between expansion and margin compression.