Google is set to be hit with a potentially large EU fine early next year if it does not do more to ensure that its app store complies with EU rules aimed at ensuring fair access and competition, people with direct knowledge of the matter said. A fine could ratchet up tensions with the United States, which says a series of recently adopted EU laws target U.S. tech companies, criticism rejected by Europe but which has made it into Washington’s newly published national strategy document.
Google Play has been in the European Commission’s crosshairs since March, with regulators singling out technical restrictions preventing app developers from steering users to other channels for cheaper offers. Another issue is the service fee charged by Google for facilitating an app developer’s initial acquisition of a new customer via Google Play which the regulator said goes beyond what is justified.
