The Match Group, which owns dating site Tinder, lodged a
complaint saying that Google only allowed its own payment system to be used
when purchasing apps, the Authority for Consumers and Markets said.
Google Play is used to buy applications to be used on
smartphones and tablets using Google's Android system, which together with
Apple dominates the global market.
"We very recently received a complaint, and we will see
if there is material to launch a formal inquiry," the Dutch regulator's
spokesman Murco Mijnlieff told AFP.
The process "could take years" but the competition
watchdog "may be able to get results faster because of the possible
resemblance to Apple", he added.
The Netherlands fined Apple a total of $52 million between
January and March this year for similar conditions relating to payments on
Apple's App Store.
The watchdog said app developers must be able to use other
payment systems than Apple's. Apple has still not complied, and the Dutch
regulator is now considering a further fine, Mijnlieff said.
Silicon Valley giants have repeatedly come up against
problems in the United States and Europe over alleged anti-competitive
behaviour.
The EU formally accused Apple on Friday of unfairly
squeezing out its music streaming rivals. © Reuters
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