Amazon Is Cast as Unlikely Victim in States’ Suit Against Google

  • AGs accuse Google of forcing app makers to use its Play store
  • Google insists that, unlike Apple, it gives consumers choice
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In the latest monopoly lawsuit against Google, U.S. enforcers are relying on an odd victim to make their case: Amazon, one of the few companies on the planet bigger than Google.

On Wednesday, three dozen states sued Alphabet Inc.’s Google, adding to a lengthy list of antitrust charges against the company. This particular case accuses Google of using illegal tactics to force app makers to use its Google Play store, which charges a commission for digital transactions. Central to the lawsuit is the allegation that Google intentionally boxed out competing app stores on Android phones.