Google Faces Large Fine In 2026 If Play Store Falls Short Of EU Antitrust Rules: Report

• The hefty fine from the EU is likely to come in the first quarter of 2026 if the company does not make changes to Google Play. 
• Google can still make changes before the fines are announced, and the timing of any sanction can still change, Reuters reported, citing sources. 
• A Google spokesperson said that the company continues to work closely with the European Commission regarding the investigation, but expressed concerns for user safety. 
   

Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOG, GOOGL) Google is looking at a potentially hefty fine from the European Union if the company’s Play Store fails to meet the EU’s antitrust standards, according to a report from Reuters. 

The fine is likely to be imposed in the first quarter of 2026, but Google still has time to make changes before it is levied, and the timing of any sanction can still change, sources told Reuters. 

“We continue to work closely with the European Commission in its ongoing investigation but have serious concerns that further changes would put Android and Play users at risk of malware, scams and data theft. Unlike iOS, Android is already open by design,” a Google spokesperson said, as per the report. 

The EU has recently adopted new laws that the U.S. says target American tech companies in particular. 

EU Crosshairs 

Google is among many American tech companies that are facing trouble with the EU over compliance with the Digital Markets Act. In September this year, Google was hit with a €2.95 billion ($3.44 billion) penalty by the European Commission for allegedly favoring its own advertising services. 

Google Play, in particular, has been on the commission’s radar for its technical rules that prevent app developers from sending users to other cheaper channels. The firm has also been pulled up for its service fee for acquiring new customers, which the commission feels is too high. 

Apple was also fined 500 million euros ($583 million) in April this year for its technical and commercial rules that stopped app developers from conveying details of cheaper deals to customers outside the platform.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that the EU’s clampdown on American big tech is unfair. 

How Are Stocktwits Users Reacting?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around GOOG remained in the ‘bearish’ territory over the past 24 hours, while message volume also remained at ‘low’ levels at the time of writing.

Shares of GOOG were down about 0.17% at the time of writing. GOOG shares have gained over 66% year to date. 

(1 Euro = $1.17)

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Share

·

Add us on