Google is once again facing legal scrutiny after Portuguese app store Aptoide filed a fresh lawsuit accusing the tech giant of maintaining an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution.
The case comes not long after Google agreed to a $700 million settlement with US states over similar antitrust concerns. Aptoide alleges that despite past rulings and settlements, Google continues to restrict competition by limiting access to rival app stores and steering developers toward its own ecosystem, raising broader questions about how open Android truly is.
What Aptoide is alleging against Google
Aptoide claims that Google has an “anticompetitive chokehold” on the Android ecosystem.
According to the lawsuit, Google controls how apps are distributed and monetised, making it extremely difficult for alternative app stores to compete fairly.The company argues that this dominance is not just about scale, but about control, particularly over how users discover apps and how developers reach their audiences.At the heart of the case is Google’s Play Store system. Aptoide alleges that Google:
- Forces or pressures developers to use its billing system
- Takes a significant commission on in-app purchases
- Limits the ability of third-party platforms to offer competitive pricing
This, Aptoide says, creates an uneven playing field where rivals cannot match Google’s reach or incentives.
The lawsuit also focuses on how difficult it is for users to install and use alternative app stores. Aptoide claims that Google:
- Makes third-party app installation more complex
- Displays warnings that discourage users
- Restricts visibility and access to major apps
As a result, even if alternatives exist, they struggle to gain traction among mainstream users.
A history of antitrust battles
This is not Google’s first encounter with such allegations. The company has faced multiple lawsuits globally over its app store practices, including a high-profile case brought by Epic Games.In 2023, a US jury ruled that Google had engaged in anti-competitive behaviour in the Android app market. The company later agreed to a $700 million settlement with US states and introduced some policy changes, including allowing limited alternatives to its billing system.The Aptoide lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of Android. If the court rules in favour of Aptoide, it could:
- Open the door for more
third-party app stores - Reduce Google’s control over app distribution
- Give developers more flexibility in payments and pricing
For users, it could mean greater choice but also renewed debates around security and app quality.
The bigger question: How open is Android
Google has long positioned Android as an open ecosystem, but cases like this challenge that narrative. While users can technically install apps from outside the Play Store, Aptoide argues that practical barriers still limit real competition.The outcome of this lawsuit may help define whether Android remains a controlled platform dominated by a single player or evolves into a more competitive marketplace.Aptoide is seeking damages and changes to Google’s business practices. The case is expected to unfold over the coming months, adding to the growing list of global legal challenges facing the tech giant.For now, the battle between Google and its challengers continues with the future of app distribution hanging in the balance.
