EU fines Google about $1B for DMA rule breaches over search bias and Play Store payments

The European Commission charged Alphabet €890 million (roughly $1 billion) for two DMA violations: giving its own Shopping/Hotels/Flights services preferential treatment in Google Search and blocking Android developers from directing users to alternative payment options in the Play Store. Google has 60 days to change its policies or face further penalties; the ruling comes after a lengthy DMA investigation and follows past antitrust actions against Google. The DMA aims to curb gatekeeper behavior by ensuring fair treatment and open choices for European consumers and developers.