“Google as an illegal monopolist will have to pay some penalties,” US federal judge James Donato said Thursday, in a hearing discussing next steps after a jury found the company breached antitrust laws.
    • phoneymouse@lemmy.worldEnglish
      39·
      6 months ago

      It’s pretty simple. Google was using the monopoly in ways that benefit some businesses. Rather than charging everyone the same commission rates, they were caught excusing some businesses from those rates.

      Apple on the other hand enforces their commission equally on everyone.

      It’s easier to argue that you’re operating a monopoly harmful to competition when you’re using your position to pick and choose winners.

        • phoneymouse@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          6 months ago

          Could you link a source? If there are any commission reductions; it’s spelled out in policy and applies equally to all app developers of that type.

          Google had secret back room deals for some developers that weren’t following the policy other app developers were subjected to. If you can find an example of Apple having secret back room deals that cut some developers a break and not others, I’d be interested to see it.

    • dracs@programming.devEnglish
      16·
      6 months ago

      As I understand it (from my non-legal casual read of the new coverage). Having a monopoly isn’t illegal, abusing it is. For Google they found that google was secretly paying companies to not put their apps on other stores. That was what they got the judgement against them. They didn’t find anything like that for Apple.

    • BigFig@lemmy.worldEnglish
      142·
      6 months ago

      Me neither. Anyone who uses Android knows there are multiple different app store fronts and side loading etc. apple just has the app store. These judges are taking crazy pills or something

      • RubberDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
        21·
        6 months ago

        It is about using your monopoly to influence the market and playing favorites for your own gain without disclosing your bias. If you highlight certain apps not because they are good but because they make you the most money, you are well on your way to abusing your monopoly.

        And having your appstore installed means 90% of people never venture outside the walled garden. So even if there are theoretical alternatives, in practice there aren’t.

  • fiercekitten@lemm.eeEnglish
    15·
    6 months ago

    Considering users can install any apps they want on most android devices, Google’s argument that it will compromise safety and tarnish google’s image seems absurd.