The European Commission (EC) has issued an official warning to Alphabet, the parent company of Google, over potential systematic violations of competition rules in the EU digital market.
According to the EC, Google’s search engine leverages its dominant position to promote its own services, violating transparency and fair competition principles outlined in the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Additionally, the Commission claims that Google Play restricts third-party app developers by preventing them from offering users alternative purchasing options with better conditions, while also charging excessive fees.
Alphabet has been given the opportunity to respond to these allegations. If the explanations do not satisfy the European Commission, the company could face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue, and in case of repeated violations, up to 20%. For systematic breaches, the EC may require Google to divest parts of its business within the EU.
The Digital Markets Act came into force in 2022 and has been in effect since 2023. It regulates the operations of major online platforms, including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and others, with the goal of ensuring fair competition and protecting users. The European Commission has vowed to strictly monitor compliance with the law.
