Matching app Tinder sued Google, saying 'I was threatened to remove it from the store without using Google's billing system'



Match Group, which operates matching apps such as Tinder, announced on May 9, 2022 that it has filed a lawsuit against Google. Match Group claims that Google's decision that apps can only be billed through Google's billing system violates antitrust laws that prohibit abuse of dominant positions.

Press Release

https://www.endthegoogletax.com/pressrelease

Tinder owner Match Group sues Google alleging antitrust violations | Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/match-group-sues-google-225719753.html

Match Group is suing Google over Android's in-app payment monopoly --The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/9/23064305/match-group-suing-google-over-in-app-payment-policy

Match Group's problem with the proceedings is that Google announced in 2020 that it would 'change Google Play's payment policy to require the use of Google's billing system.' Google has announced that the revised policy will come into effect on June 1, 2022, and apps that do not support this will be removed from Google Play .

It is essential to use Google's payment system for apps distributed on Google Play --GIGAZINE



'Google had previously guaranteed that it would be able to offer apps-specific services and payment methods,' Match Group said in a complaint filed in court. Even though most Tinder users have selected Tinder's billing option, making it available only to Google's billing system violates one of the antitrust laws, such as the Sherman Act . I showed you how to look at it.

Match Group CEO Shar Dubey said in a statement, 'I can only use Google's billing system, but I pretend that I can approach Android users in any way. You can also climb the outer wall to reach the 60th floor of a skyscraper. ”This lawsuit is a last resort. We have consulted with Google in good faith to resolve this issue, Google threatened to remove our app from Google Play by June 1st, so we had no choice but to take legal action. '

'The proceedings are a selfish effort to prevent Match Group from paying for the mobile platform on which they have built their business,' said Dan Jackson, a Google spokeswoman. It's just part of it. We charge for our services and, like any other responsible platform, protect our users from fraud and fraud by our apps. Match Group is currently deceiving our users. We can see that the lawsuit also prioritizes money over user protection because of the regulatory authorities. '

He also claims that the 15% fee that Match Group pays to Google Play is the lowest of all major app distribution platforms, as well as using other Android app stores and via websites. He points out that there are ways to avoid going through Google's billing system, such as providing services directly on Android.



There have been criticisms of Google and Apple's app distribution platforms that payment methods are limited, and in response to this, the US Congress said, 'A major app store tells app developers its own payment system. We are working toward the enactment of the ' App Store Regulation Law ' centered on 'prohibiting the compulsory use of.'

Outside the United States, South Korea has also enacted laws regulating Google and Apple's app stores, and Google has announced that it will enable third-party payment systems in the country in response.

In response to this trend, Google is gradually softening its attitude, such as in March 2022, when it announced a policy to allow Android apps to choose their own payment method.

First from Spotify, which shows Google's policy to allow Android apps to choose their own payment method-GIGAZINE

in Web Service, Posted by log1l_ks