EU Nears End of Google Antitrust Probe, Expects Major Fine

The European Union is poised to conclude its antitrust investigation into Google, owned by Alphabet, with a substantial fine. German newspaper Handelsblatt, citing sources from the European Commission (EC), reported that the probe is nearing its end and an announcement is expected before summer.

The EC is anticipated to impose a fine in the high hundreds of millions of euros, which would reportedly be the largest penalty the EU has levied for violations of the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). The investigation, officially launched in March 2025, scrutinizes concerns that Google has been favoring its own services in search results, aiming to ensure the world's most used search engine complies with European regulations.

While a fine is expected, an EC spokesperson, Thomas Regnier, indicated that the EU is more interested in finding a future solution for Google's compliance than solely imposing a penalty. Earlier in May, the EC granted Google additional time to address concerns after its previous proposal was deemed insufficient. The investigation's outcome will determine how Google must adjust its practices to align with the DMA's requirements for digital gatekeepers.

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EK mehr daran interessiert ist, mit Google eine zukünftige Lösung zur Gewährleistung der Einhaltung der Regeln zu finden, als eine Geldbuße zu verhängen.