Google Under Investigation by Dutch Consumer Watchdog Over Play Store Apps

The Dutch client watchdog on Wednesday stated it had launched a preliminary investigation into Google over its Play retailer for apps, months after concentrating on fellow tech large Apple.

The Match Group, which owns courting website Tinder, lodged a grievance saying that Google solely allowed its personal fee system for use when buying apps, the Authority for Consumers and Markets stated.

Google Play is used to purchase purposes for use on smartphones and tablets utilizing Google’s Android system, which along with Apple dominates the worldwide market.

“We very recently received a complaint, and we will see if there is material to launch a formal inquiry,” the Dutch regulator’s spokesman Murco Mijnlieff advised AFP.

The course of “could take years” however the competitors watchdog “may be able to get results faster because of the possible resemblance to Apple”, he added.

The Netherlands fined Apple a complete of $52 million (roughly Rs. 396 crore) between January and March this 12 months for comparable situations referring to funds on Apple’s App Store.

The watchdog stated app builders should have the ability to use different fee programs than Apple’s. Apple has nonetheless not complied, and the Dutch regulator is now contemplating an extra wonderful, Mijnlieff stated.

Silicon Valley giants have repeatedly come up in opposition to issues within the United States and Europe over alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

The EU formally accused Apple on Friday of unfairly squeezing out its music streaming rivals.

© Thomson Reuters 2022