It's not just Apple! Google's EU nightmare just got worse, too

Big US tech companies keep finding themselves in hot water with European regulators, even with threats from President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on countries that fine US firms. The EU has just hit Apple with its biggest demand yet, which could mean some major changes for iOS 19. And Google isn't off the hook either.

Since March last year, both Google and Apple (and Meta, actually) have been under the European Commission's scrutiny, with worries that they are not playing by the rules of the Digital Markets Act.

This law is designed to keep tech giants in check by setting out a list of what they can do and what they cannot. Now, the EU competition watchdog has dropped some early findings, accusing Google of breaking DMA rules in multiple areas.

The Google case focuses on two main issues: whether Google is blocking app developers from promoting deals outside of its Google Play store and whether it is giving an unfair advantage to its own services like Google Flights within Google Search.

The first issue revolves around how Alphabet, Google's parent company, allegedly prevents app developers from directing users to better deals elsewhere. Regulators argue that the fees Google charges app developers for bringing in new customers via Google Play are unjustifiably high.

The second issue points out that Google seems to prioritize its own services, like Google Shopping and Google Flights, over its competitors, giving them less visibility in search results.

The Commission has already sent its initial findings to Alphabet, suggesting that the company may be violating the DMA. However, this doesn't mean the investigation is over.

Alphabet now has the chance to defend itself by reviewing the Commission's documents and responding to the findings in writing. If the regulator's preliminary conclusions hold up, they could eventually issue a formal decision of non-compliance.

Teresa Ribera, the EU's antitrust chief, mentioned that these steps are meant to ensure Alphabet plays by the EU's rules, especially when it comes to two key services – Google Search and Android phones – that are used by so many businesses and consumers across the EU.