Match Group Sues Google to Avoid Being Kicked Out of Play Store

Match Group has sued Alphabet Inc.’s Google to avoid being kicked out of its Play Store. The dating app conglomerate has refused to pay the required 30 percent commission of its in-app sales to the tech giant. Match joined with other companies like Epic Games in fighting Google, citing its hold on app developers to prevent them from using third party payment systems.

Google said they will block downloads of Match’s dating apps starting June 1st if they don’t comply with Google’s contract and payment system and share the revenue from in-app sales, according to Reuters. Apple is fighting similar issues with Match Group in The Netherlands, where Dutch regulators have required Apple to allow third party payment platforms for dating apps. Apple has allowed third party providers but so far has not compromised on their commission, charging app developers 27 percent even if they use a third-party payment platform and not Apple’s. 

"These exorbitant 'fees' force developers to charge users more for their services and utilize resources they would otherwise invest in our employees, technologies, and user-requested features," Match Group said when it announced its lawsuit. "In addition, monopolizing the market for in-app payments will further cement Google's near-total control of the Android ecosystem."

Both Google and Apple have cited security concerns when it comes to allowing third party payment systems to operate in their stores. Google noted that Match Group has had two years to comply with their new app store rules and has faced regulatory scrutiny for various billing issues, including subscription fraud for automatic renewals.

"As a platform, we're always looking to work in good faith with partners to grow and evolve the ecosystem, but we'll stand firm against false attacks on our business, especially when it puts users at risk and endangers our ability to continue investing in and serving our developer community," said Wilson White, Google's VP of government affairs and public policy, in a blog post on behalf of the company. 

Match’s lawsuit was filed in federal court in California, and accused Google of violating federal and state antitrust laws.

According to Reuters, a majority of Tinder users (Match’s most popular app), prefer the app’s payment system which allows bank transfers and installment plans, something Google Play doesn’t provide.

"This lawsuit is a measure of last resort," current Match CEO Shar Dubey said in the statement. She will be replaced at the beginning of June by Bernard Kim. "We tried, in good faith, to resolve these concerns with Google, but their insistence and threats has left us no choice."