Tech Tug-of-War: EU Antitrust Complaint Targets Google's App Practices

The tech giant Alphabet faces a new antitrust complaint in the European Union, as six human and digital rights groups call for regulatory scrutiny over Google's compliance with the region's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The complaint targets Google's alleged failure to provide users with an easy method to uninstall its pre-installed apps on Android devices.

According to the complaint, Alphabet has configured its Android operating system to obscure the option for users to disable these apps, violating a DMA requirement for gatekeepers to offer such functionalities. The rights groups claim that Google also tries to discourage users from attempting to uninstall the apps.

Alphabet has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that uninstalling apps on Android devices remains straightforward. Google cites previous dismissals of similar complaints by other regulatory bodies, including the UK's CMA. Meanwhile, the European Commission has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and is currently evaluating its merits under standard procedures.

(With inputs from agencies.)