State AGs Allege Antitrust Violations By Google in Android Apps Distribution

摘要

The attorneys general of 36 states and the District of Columbia have sued Google LLC and its affiliates in federal court for alleged anti-competitive practices in markets for the distribution of apps for its Android operating system and payment processing in apps for its Android operating system.The lawsuit, led by the states of Utah, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco Division) on July 7, also alleges that Google engages in unfair and deceptive conduct that harms consumers with respect to sideloading apps, "openness," and Google Play store billing.The lawsuit in State of Utah et al. v. Google LLC et al. (case 3:21-cv-05227) alleges federal Sherman Antitrust Act violations as well as violations of state laws.It follows two lawsuits filed against Google in December by separate coalitions of state AGs alleging antitrust violations in the areas of general search services and online advertising (TR, Jan. 8).