Google, Samsung Desperate to Kill 'Galaxy Store'... Revealed in US Google Antitrust Lawsuit

Washington DC and 36 US States Sue Google
Google's Galaxy Store 'Threat'
Anticompetitive Strategy Focused on 'Samsung'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been revealed that Google engaged in unfair practices against Samsung Electronics and others to maintain its monopoly over its application (app) market, the 'Play Store.'

According to local U.S. media on the 9th (local time), a complaint filed by Washington D.C. and 36 U.S. states against Google for antitrust violations in the mobile app market was submitted to the Northern District Court of California, revealing these facts. The complaint identified Samsung Electronics, the largest Android smartphone manufacturer operating its own app store, the 'Galaxy Store,' as a primary target of Google's anti-competitive behavior.

The plaintiffs pointed out Google's anti-competitive actions to monopolize the mobile app market in a 144-page complaint, mentioning 'Samsung' 71 times and 'Galaxy' 22 times.

They stated, "Google felt a significant threat when Samsung began revamping the Galaxy Store," and added, "Google viewed the competing app store (Galaxy Store) as a threat that needed to be suppressed preemptively, focusing its anti-competitive strategy on Samsung."

In particular, the complaint criticized Google's attempts to 'buy off' Samsung to prevent the Galaxy Store from independently surviving and competing with the Play Store, as well as Google's anti-competitive actions when the game company Epic Games decided to exclusively distribute 'Fortnite' through the Galaxy Store.

According to the complaint, Google took preemptive anti-competitive measures, including trying to bribe Samsung to convert the Galaxy Store into a sub-brand within the Play Store to prevent it from growing into a competitive app store.

Additionally, when Samsung and Epic Games signed a contract in 2018 to exclusively distribute 'Fortnite' on the Galaxy Store, which led to millions of dollars in revenue loss, Google allegedly blocked Samsung from establishing meaningful app distribution relationships with app developers or users.

Google emphasized that Android offers openness by allowing users to download apps directly from developers without going through the Play Store, expressing that the lawsuit is incomprehensible.

Wilson White, Senior Director of Public Policy at Google, stated on a blog after the lawsuit was filed, "This is a baseless lawsuit that ignores Android's openness," and added, "It is strange to file a lawsuit attacking an OS that offers greater openness and choice than others."

However, the plaintiffs argue that although customers can technically choose where to download apps, this openness is merely superficial given Google's anti-competitive business practices that prevent the emergence of app stores that can compete with the Play Store.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.