The EuropeanCommission fined Google a total of €890 million today (Thursday) for breachingthe European Union's Digital Markets Act. The penalties include a €430 millionfine over Google Play and a €460 million fine over Google's treatment ofcompeting services in Search.The Google Playdecision could have implications for fintech companies, brokers andcryptocurrency exchanges that use Android applications to acquire and retaincustomers. The Commission said Google prevented app developers from directingusers free of charge to cheaper offers available through rival app stores ortheir own websites.The latest decision follows the EU's pushto reshape app store competition after previouslyscrutinising Apple's App Store policies under the Digital Markets Act.Google Play Changes Could Aid FintechsAccording to theregulator, Google must stop restricting developers from steering users toalternative purchasing channels. The company has 60 days to comply with thedecision.The ruling could givedigital financial services providers greater flexibility in how theycommunicate payment options for subscription products, premium trading toolsand other paid services outside Google's app marketplace.Directing users to external payment options could help companies avoid GooglePlay's billing system in some cases.The Commission saidGoogle has already proposed changes to its Google Play steering terms,describing them as "good progress towards compliance." It added thatthe proposed measures will continue to be assessed as discussions with thecompany continue.⚠️ We have fined Google €890 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act, by promoting their own services and restricting customer access to alternatives on Google Search and Google Play.https://t.co/zFChIQxKua pic.twitter.com/QTqdpS6dyY— European Commission (@EU_Commission) July 23, 2026EU Extends DMA Focus Toward AIDespite the fines, theCommission said Google's ongoing discussions with regulators and testing ofcompliance measures mean additional daily penalty payments are not expected atthis stage.The Google Playpenalty was announced alongside a separate €460 million fine over Google'sSearch practices. The Commission said the company had treated its own servicesmore favourably than competing offerings in search results, breaching the DMA.These are Google'sfirst fines under the Digital Markets Act. They are also the company's fifthand sixth major EU antitrust penalties, bringing its total competition fines inEurope to €10.38 billion over nearly two decades.The Commission alsosaid the principles behind today's decisions could eventually apply to Google'sAI-powered Search products, including AI Overviews and AI Mode, as discussionswith the company continue.This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.