Aptoide Sues Google Over Android App Monopoly Practices

A Portuguese app store operator has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of unlawfully monopolizing Android app distribution and in-app billing systems. The complaint, lodged Tuesday in federal court in San Francisco, claims Google's practices have stifled competition and caused significant harm to rivals.

Aptoide, based in Lisbon and known as an alternative to Google's Play Store, alleges that the company has created barriers preventing developers from distributing apps through third-party platforms. According to the lawsuit, Google steers developers toward its own services by restricting access to exclusive content and key applications, while discouraging the use of competing stores. Aptoide, which maintains a catalog of about 436,000 apps and serves more than 200 million annual users as of 2024, states it offers lower commissions to developers and reduced costs for consumers. The suit argues these advantages have been undermined by Google's dominance, leading to irreparable damage for the company and limited choices for Android users worldwide.

The filing seeks a court injunction to stop the alleged anticompetitive conduct and unspecified triple...