Google earns fresh competition scrutiny from two nations on a single day

Google on Thursday found itself facing competition probes from two of the world's biggest nations. In India – the most populous nation on Earth – the Competition Commission ordered [PDF] a probe after a developer called WinZo – which promotes itself with the chance to "Play Mobile Games & Win Cash" – complained that Google …

[Pascal Monett]

The pressure is rising

Sooner or later, the tide will come in. Corporations have no right to make decisions like that. Either they accept external software developers, or they don't. The only thing Google has the right - and the obligation - to do is ensure that apps on its Store are not malicious.

For the rest, Google has no right to choose. If it needs a cluebat to the face to understand, so be it.

[Dinanziame]

Re: The pressure is rising

I think the fact sideloading is at least possible on Android should allow Google to set some rules on what it allows on the Play Store. To take the most obvious examples, porn and racist content are certainly forbidden on the Play Store, and I don't think Google should be forced to allow them.

I wouldn't bet that the creator of a racist game would manage to force Apple to sell his game on the App Store either, but maybe the Supreme Court would have interesting ideas on whose first amendment rights prevail.

[Ian Johnston]

Re: The pressure is rising

What First Amendment rights does anyone have over Apple Inc?

[DJO]

Re: The pressure is rising

I sometimes wonder how many Americans have actually read the First Amendment. It is not a magic mantra and it does not affect companies in the slightest. It concerns, and only concerns, what the government can and cannot do.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

[Alumoi]

Re: The pressure is rising

Americans? Read? Can they?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: The pressure is rising

Freedom of speech only aplies to the government. A private company can censor you without problem.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: The pressure is rising

>Freedom of speech only aplies to the government.

Prophetic words, I suspect.

[katrinab]

Re: The pressure is rising

First Amendment Rights are about government controls on speech, that includes forced speech.

Under the First Amendment, the government can't force Apple to say things that it doesn't want to say.

[Anonymous Coward]

A bad day for Google

is a GREAT day for the rest of us.

We need small wins what with the world about to go to pot starting on 20th Jan 2025. With Elon the 1st at the helm, what could go wrong eh? /s /s /s

[find users who cut cat tail]

Re: A bad day for Google

Yes, once we can ‘Play Mobile Games & Win Cash’ everything will be just GREAT.

[Doctor Syntax]

Re: A bad day for Google

I can't blame Google for shying away from a game with cash prizes. It would expect to find itself fighting charges under gambling regulations in multiple jurisdictions for multiple games.

[Oh Homer]

Indian gamba app

Yeah, what could go wrong?

I'm not exactly thrilled at Google's arbitrary censorship of apps that conflict with their spammy agenda, but at the same time they may actually have a point wrt Indian gambling apps.

[Andrew Scott]

gameing

If there are no other cash prize games being offered on the google platform i wouldn't think that was a problem. Also, isn't there a much more used search platform in china? thought googles presence was pretty minor there. where's the problem?