DMA is only partly for choice. Sorry, different act, but same group (EU). But the rest pretty much stands the same, the EU won't see it as malicious compliance, but as a great design choice.

https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act_en

This is also huge part of it about being able to “prevent illegal” content.

“easier reporting of illegal content” “less exposure to illegal content” “level-playing field against providers of illegal content”

This will help give paper trails for everything, and that allows for easy reporting which is the bigger part of the DMA.

I think you're on point with the malicious compliance. Google doesn't want to give up power and control. Requiring all installations to run through them seems to be their workaround.