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Judge Hints at Plans to Rein In Google’s Illegal Play Store Monopoly (www.wired.com)

submitted 2 months ago by jeffw to c/technology

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[+] [email protected] 49 points 2 months ago (3 children)

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[–] phoneymouse 39 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

It’s pretty simple. Google was using the monopoly in ways that benefit some businesses. Rather than charging everyone the same commission rates, they were caught excusing some businesses from those rates.

Apple on the other hand enforces their commission equally on everyone.

It’s easier to argue that you’re operating a monopoly harmful to competition when you’re using your position to pick and choose winners.

[–] QuarterSwede 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That’s not true though. Large companies get commission breaks like Netflix at 15%.

[–] phoneymouse 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Could you link a source? If there are any commission reductions; it’s spelled out in policy and applies equally to all app developers of that type.

Google had secret back room deals for some developers that weren’t following the policy other app developers were subjected to. If you can find an example of Apple having secret back room deals that cut some developers a break and not others, I’d be interested to see it.

[–] QuarterSwede 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It’s been in news articles here and there.

[–] phoneymouse 2 points 2 months ago

Can’t seem to find one

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago (1 children)

As I understand it (from my non-legal casual read of the new coverage). Having a monopoly isn't illegal, abusing it is. For Google they found that google was secretly paying companies to not put their apps on other stores. That was what they got the judgement against them. They didn't find anything like that for Apple.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 weeks ago

As I understand it (from my non-legal casual read of the new coverage). Having a monopoly isn't illegal, abusing it is.

If you wanna get legal about it, none of this has anything to do with a Monopoly. No one has a monopoly. The "mono" prefix means "one". And there are at least 2 massive competitors in the space of app stores.

[–] Brunbrun6766 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Me neither. Anyone who uses Android knows there are multiple different app store fronts and side loading etc. apple just has the app store. These judges are taking crazy pills or something

[–] Badeendje 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

It is about using your monopoly to influence the market and playing favorites for your own gain without disclosing your bias. If you highlight certain apps not because they are good but because they make you the most money, you are well on your way to abusing your monopoly.

And having your appstore installed means 90% of people never venture outside the walled garden. So even if there are theoretical alternatives, in practice there aren't.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago

Considering users can install any apps they want on most android devices, Google’s argument that it will compromise safety and tarnish google’s image seems absurd.