San Francisco (AFP)
Dozens of states in the United States collectively sued Google on Wednesday, accusing it of abusing its power over Android phone users seeking to download apps.
These lawsuits targeting the online store Play Store intended to obtain applications or other digital content on its Android smartphone come at a time when major information technology groups face growing lawsuits and criticism.
"We are bringing this lawsuit to end Google's illegal monopoly and finally give voice to millions of consumers and entrepreneurial bosses," said New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the leading figures of this campaign. Steps.
"This company has made hundreds of millions of consumers turn to Google, and Google alone, for access to the millions of apps they might want to download to their phones and tablets."
The lawsuit backed by 37 attorneys general accuses Google of using anti-competitive methods to discourage the distribution of apps through channels other than its Play Store, whose payment system collects transaction commissions.
“Android and Google Play provide openness and choice that other platforms just don't have,” Google Director of Public Policy Wilson White said.
Google is accused of establishing itself as a "go-between" between application developers and consumers.
At the same time, a decision is awaited in the highly publicized lawsuit brought by Epic Games against Apple for abuse of a dominant position with its App Store.
App Store is the only gateway for apps and other content to iPhones and other devices running the iOS operating system.
Conversely, people using Android mobile equipment can obtain applications by means other than Play Store.
© 2021 AFP