EU hits Google with new $1bn fine, saying it broke digital antitrust rules

The fine is part of a major crackdown on Big Tech by Brussels which says it is seeking to ensure fair competition in the digital realm.By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and APPublished On 23 Jul 202623 Jul 2026The European Union has fined Google 890 million euros ($1bn), saying the technology giant broke digital antitrust rules by steering users of Google Play and its search engine towards its own services and apps at the expense of rivals.Thursday’s penalty is the latest in Brussels’ crackdown on Big Tech, which has seen the bloc lead the world in reining in the largest firms from Silicon Valley to Beijing.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Apple files lawsuit accusing ChatGPT maker OpenAI of stealing trade secretslist 2 of 4Indonesia’s jailing of Gojek founder raises fears for investor confidencelist 3 of 4Authors, publishers sue Google over alleged AI copyright infringementlist 4 of 4Can AI systems make moral decisions in war?end of listGoogle had recently lost its appeal against a $4.5bn antitrust fine imposed for throttling competition and reducing consumer choice through the dominance of its mobile Android operating system.The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branc...