Google Hit with €1.7 Billion Antitrust Fine for Search Dominance Abuse
European antitrust tribunal ordered Google to pay €1.7 billion to Klarna’s PriceRunner unit for abusing search dominance by favoring its own shopping comparisons. The penalty marks one of the largest digital competition fines in Europe and could dent Google’s operating margins across the region.
1. Tribunal Orders Payment
On July 1, a European antitrust tribunal concluded that Google violated competition rules by prioritizing its own shopping comparisons in search results and must pay €1.7 billion to Klarna’s PriceRunner division. The ruling enforces the EU’s digital market regulations introduced in 2017 and represents a landmark application of those rules.
2. Financial Implications
The €1.7 billion charge will appear as a one‐time expense in Google’s upcoming quarterly report, reducing operating income and potentially prompting a revision to its full‐year European guidance. Industry analysts project the penalty could shave roughly 0.5% off Google’s 2026 regional revenues.
3. Appeal and Regulatory Scrutiny
Google has the right to appeal the decision at the EU’s Court of Justice, with legal proceedings possibly extending into 2027. The verdict heightens scrutiny of Google’s search operations as EU regulators consider further reforms to digital competition frameworks.
