Dating app Tinder developer sues Google

SAN FRANCISCO: Google has been sued by Match Group, the company behind popular dating apps such as Tinder and OkCupid, over its restrictive billing policies on Android Play Store.

Match Group claimed that the tech giant "illegally monopolised the market for distributing apps" on Android by forcing apps to use its own billing system, and then taking a cut of the payments.

"Ten years ago, Match Group was Google's partner. We are now its hostage. Google lured app developers to its platform with assurances that we could offer users a choice over how to pay for the services they want," it said in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is reminiscent of Epic Games-Apple legal fight over the same issue on Apple App Store payment policies.

Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite game, filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2020, alleging that the iPhone maker engaged in "anti-competitive" behaviour by demanding a 30 per cent commission on in-app purchases in the iOS app store.

A federal judge in the US then directed Apple to let developers add links to external payment options on the App Store, denying the tech giant's motion for a stay.

Although Apple largely won that lawsuit, the US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers sided with the Fortnite publisher, regarding restrictions on in-app purchases on the App Store. (IANS)

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