On 4 May 2022, the ACM announced to various media that it was conducting a preliminary investigation into Google.[1] The reason was a complaint from Match Group, the parent company of dating app Tinder. Match Group complained that Google was abusing its dominant position by not accepting any payment system in its download store other than that of Google. In addition, app providers were no longer allowed to refer to alternative payment options. The ACM would investigate the complaint. These are not isolated complaints. The ACM has already imposed penalties subject to non-compliance for EUR 50 million on Google’s competitor Apple because of unauthorised payment rules when using the app store. In response, Apple made proposals to change the system.[2] In May, Google emphasised to the media that its system was different from Apple’s, because it is possible to download apps and make payments in the Android environment via other app stores.

[1] ‘ACM starts preliminary investigation into Google after complaint about abuse of power’, NOS, 4 May 2022; ‘ACM investigates Google app store for possible abuse of power’, RTL Nieuws, 4 May 2022; ‘ACM to examine Google for abuse of power in Play Store’, De Telegraaf, 4 May 2022.

[2] ‘ACM assesses Apple’s modified proposal on terms and conditions for dating apps’, 28 March 2022, ACM website.