Today, the European Commission took two decisions finding non-compliance by Google with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for self-preferencing its own services on Google Search, and for putting in place restrictions on businesses to direct consumers to alternative, often cheaper, purchase channels on Google Play (steering). In this regard, the Commission issued Google a fine of €460 million and a fine of €430 million respectively.
  • lieven@europe.pubEnglish
    19·
    22 hours ago

    Good, but…

    1. There have been many EU fines on tech that were reversed or significantly reduced after promises to do better. They never do better but will do worse.

    2. When Trump or Rubio or whomever get inevitably involved the Commission will walk it back because they always do.

    3. While €890 million may be a ridiculous amount of money it’s also absolutely nothing for a company the size of Alphabet/Google. This does not significantly impact them in any way and as such is meaningless.

    • Jaysyn@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      22 hours ago

      Google is very, very over leveraged on AI right now, $1.2 billion cash may not be as easy for them to come up with as you think.

      • lieven@europe.pubEnglish
        6·
        22 hours ago

        Well, let’s hope. It’s time for them to feel some impact of their actions.

        I am not well informed enough about their finances other than knowing they make a ridiculous amount of money (i.e. billions) on the backs of just about everyone.

        • Jaysyn@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          21 hours ago

          Firefox + Ublock Origin + Privacy Badger + Canvas Blocker means I literally never see ads online with the exception of them being directly hosted by the website I’m browsing.

  • tardigrade@scribe.disroot.orgEnglish
    9·
    20 hours ago

    According to its 2025 annual report, Google’s parent holding Alphabet holds USD 30.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents (up from USD 23.5 billion the year before). So I am confident they can pay that.