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Google Play

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2023

    US antitrust settlement over Google Play practices

    Google agreed to pay US$700 million, largely for distribution to consumers, to resolve complaints brought by US states and consumers alleging anticompetitive conduct involving Google Play. The settlement also included measures intended to make alternative billing and direct application downloads easier.

    Source

  2. 2021

    Attorneys general file antitrust lawsuit against Google over Play Store

    Lawsuit filed

    In 2021, a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google concerning its operation of the Google Play Store. The lawsuit alleged that Google's operation of the store unfairly restricted competition and harmed consumers. Among the allegations, the lawsuit stated that Google required developers to use Google Play Billing for in-app purchases. The filing was reported in connection with the coalition's action against Google over the app store.

    Source excerpt

    • According to the complaint, Google also requires that developers offering apps through the Google Play Store use Google Billing, which forces them to pay Google’s exorbitant commission—up to 30 percent—on in-app purchases made by consumers.
    • BOSTON — Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Google for using its market dominance to unfairly restrict competition within the Google Play Store for Android mobile devices, harming consumers by limiting choice and driving up app prices.
    • Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday that Delaware and other state have filed suit against Google, alleging exclusionary conduct relating to the Google Play Store for Android mobile devices and Google Billing.
    Source

  3. 2021

    Google updates Play Store loyalty-program policy

    Company response

    Google updated and broadened its Play Store policy on gaming loyalty programs, specifying guidance for programs tied to qualified monetary transactions and offering cash or cash-equivalent prizes. The update followed confusion and backlash in India over the guidance.

    Stated objective. to help developers better understand the practices that are permitted

    Company response

    • Clarification — Google

      The company said on Thursday that it now specifies guidance on gamified loyalty programs that are based on a qualified monetary transaction in an app and offer prizes of cash or other real-world cash equivalent perks.

    Source excerpt

    • Google has updated and broadened its Play Store policy on gaming loyalty programs to help developers better understand the practices that are permitted, months after confusion about the guidance prompted some backlash in India, the biggest Android market by users.
    Source

  4. 2020

    Google removes nearly 600 apps over mobile ad fraud

    Issue disclosure

    Google said nearly 600 apps were removed from the Play Store for mobile ad fraud; the article says the apps included all those associated with Cheetah Mobile, and that they were also barred from Google Ad Manager and Google AdMob.

    Source excerpt

    • The same apps have also been barred from Google Ad Manager and Google AdMob, monetization channels often used on this platform.
    • Google has released a blog post explaining why nearly 600 apps have just been removed from Android's Play Store. These apps were deemed guilty of "mobile ad fraud", which contravenes the Mountain View giant's policies. The apps in question include all those associated with the company Cheetah Mobile.
    Source

  5. 2019

    Google Play faced criticism over a conversion-therapy app

    Public backlash

    Google faced criticism for making an app promoting gay conversion therapy available in Google Play. Truth Wins Out petitioned for the app’s removal, and the petition had received more than 40,000 signatures toward its 50,000-signature goal.

    Source excerpt

    • The petition for the app’s removal has received more than 40,000 signatures of its 50,000 goal.
    • Google is facing criticism for having an app promoting gay conversion therapy available in its Google Play store.
    Source