FRANCE PERSPECTIVE

Paris, July 24, 2026. The French government is closely following a significant development as the European Commission imposed a total of 890 million euros in fines on Google on Thursday for abusing its dominant position, the highest penalty ever issued under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The breakdown of the fine consists of two parts: 460 million euros for favoring its own services, such as price comparators, hotels, and flights, in Google Search results, and 430 million euros for "anti-steering" clauses in the Play Store, which prevented developers from directing users to cheaper payment options.

"This is a very important decision," said Henna Virkkunen, Vice-President of the Commission in charge of Digital, emphasizing the need to "ensure a level playing field." Teresa Ribera, Commissioner for Competition, recalled the "duty" to enforce the laws adopted by European institutions. According to Thomas Regnier, cited by RFI, "90% of online searches in the EU are conducted via Google Search," which justifies the magnitude of the fine. The Tribune sees this as a "credibility test" for the DMA, a regulation that requires "gatekeeper" platforms not to favor their own services.

Google has denounced the decision, which, according to Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs, would force the company to "remove real-time search features that Europeans appreciate" and "dismantle security protections" on the Play Store. The company has 60 days to comply.

The French press is highlighting the diplomatic risk: Sud Ouest and La Tribune report that 25 Republican lawmakers have written to Donald Trump to demand retaliation, including new tariffs. Le Monde places the decision in a tense calendar, just days before the anniversary of the Turnberry agreement, while the US Supreme Court has invalidated the tariff mechanism negotiated last year. A senior European official assures that "today's decision will not surprise the US administration." RFI finally notes that Google is the third American company to be sanctioned under the DMA, after Apple and Meta, for amounts that were previously lower.