Google Could Face Antitrust Lawsuit Over Its Cut From The Play Store

Right now, Apple is getting a lot of unwanted attention over its App Store and the cut it takes from developers who sell apps or services through it. Now it looks like it could be Google’s turn to stand under the spotlight because according to a report from Bloomberg, at least three states in the US – Utah, North Carolina, and New York – could be looking to launch an antitrust lawsuit over the cut Google takes from the Play Store.

Google, like Apple, takes a 30% cut from app sales and also in-app purchases. This seems to be more or less the standard that other digital storefronts adhere to, whether it be for software or video games.

When asked about the investigation, Google’s Android and Google Play VP Sameer Samat was quoted as saying, “Android has always allowed people to get apps from multiple app stores. Each store is able to decide its own business model and consumer features. This openness means that even if a developer and Google do not agree on business terms the developer can still distribute on the Android platform.”

At this point, it is unclear how all of this will play out in the grander scheme of things. For the most part, companies like Apple believe that their cut is fair, but there are others who disagree. It remains to be seen if once the dust settles if we’ll simply go back to the way things were, or if this could be the reckoning that could shake up digital storefronts for good.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Android, Apps, Google, Legal