Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against Google alleging the tech giant’s control of Android app stores violates anti-trust laws. Moreover, the lawsuit claims that Google barred potential competitors from the market through exclusionary contracts and “misleading” security warnings. Ultimately, the lawsuit claims that Google restricted app choices, drove up prices and hurt consumers.
“Google has served as the gatekeeper of the internet for many years, but, more recently, it has also become the gatekeeper of our digital devices — resulting in all of us paying more for the software we use every day,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
“Once again, we are seeing Google use its dominance to illegally quash competition and profit to the tune of billions.”
Google replied to the lawsuit on Tuesday calling it strange and argued that its marketplace allows for “more openness and choice than others.”
“This complaint alleges that consumers and developers have no option other than to use Google Play. But that’s not correct. Choice has always been a core tenet of Android. Device makers and carriers can preload competing app stores alongside Google Play on their devices,” the company stated.
“In fact, most Android devices ship with two or more app stores preloaded. And popular Android devices such as the Amazon Fire tablet come preloaded with a competitive app store and no Google Play Store.”
