A fresh antitrust lawsuit filed in the United States has accused Google of suppressing competition by monopolising Android app distribution and billing systems.
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The case, brought by Portuguese firm Aptoide, alleges that Google has created an “anticompetitive chokehold” that prevents rival app stores from competing effectively in the Android ecosystem.
Aptoide, which describes itself as the world’s third-largest Android app store, claims it could have exerted greater pressure on pricing and developer policies if not for Google’s restrictive practices. The Lisbon-based company says it offers lower commissions for developers and reduced costs for users but is hindered by Google steering developers toward its own Google Play Store and limiting access to key content.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in San Francisco, seeks an injunction against Google’s alleged practices as well as unspecified triple damages.
This is not the first legal challenge between the two companies. Aptoide had previously lodged a complaint with European Union regulators in 2014 over similar concerns.
The new case comes amid mounting legal scrutiny of Google’s business practices. In 2023, a jury found the company had unlawfully restricted competition in a separate case brought by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. Google later agreed to make changes to its Android and app store policies as part of a settlement.
Additionally, U.S. regulators have pursued action against Google’s core business, with a federal judge ruling in 2024 that its search engine constituted an illegal monopoly, ordering the company to share certain data with competitors.
The latest lawsuit adds to growing global pressure on Big Tech firms over market dominance and competition practices.
