EU expected to impose largest-ever DMA fine on Google over search bias claims

FRANKFURT: The European Union is expected to impose a record-breaking antitrust fine on Google over alleged search bias, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt.

The report, citing European Commission sources, said the penalty would amount to a high triple-digit million euro figure and would mark the biggest fine ever issued under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The investigation, launched in March 2025, focuses on concerns that Google may be favouring its own services in search results, potentially undermining fair competition in the digital market.

The decision is reportedly in its final stages and could be announced before the EU’s summer recess.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the regulator’s priority remains securing long-term compliance from Google rather than focusing solely on penalties.

“Even with our negotiations on future solutions, we will not hesitate to move to the next steps as soon as possible,” he said.

Google has not yet commented on the report, while earlier this month the Commission indicated it had given the company additional time to address its concerns after previous proposals fell short.