The European operator of a third-party Android app store says Google (GOOG) is violating antitrust laws by making it harder for Android users to find or install apps from platforms other than Google Play.
Portugal-based Aptoide, which has about 6 million monthly users, claims that Google changed its Android Open Source Project to make certain features available only to its own platforms like Google Play. Aptoide also says Google has deleted references to other app stores from Google Play and has adjusted the Android app installation process to favor apps downloaded from Google Play, CNET notes.
Aptoide has taken its complaints to the European Commission, which oversees antitrust issues. Aptoide says that Google is abusing its market-dominant position to squeeze out third party app stores and want regulators to force Google to make third party app stores more available to Android users.
In Wednesday pre-market trading GOOG stock gained slightly.
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