Google is Countersuing Match, Could Potentially Kick Tinder Out of Play Store

Google is countersuing Match, the tech company that owns a number of online dating platforms such as Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge.

The filing said that Match is attempting to "gain unfair advantage over other app developers" and pay nothing to use the Google Play Store, according to Business Insider.

The search engine giant is "seeking monetary damages and a judgement that would let it kick Tinder and the group's other dating apps out of the Play Store," according to Engadget.

Match Disagrees with Google Play Store's Policies, Claims it Violates Laws

Earlier this year, Match filed a lawsuit against Google due to antitrust violations over a decision that required all Android developers to process digital goods and services payments through the Play Store billing system.

Following the initial lawsuit in May, a temporary agreement was settled between Google and Match. The agreement allows Match to remain on the Play Store. It also allows the company to use its own payment system.

Moreover, Google also gave the green light to make a good faith effort to address Match's billing concerns. In turn, Match was to make an effort to offer Google's billing system as an alternative, according to Engadget.

However, according to Alphabet, Google's parent company, Match Group now wants to avoid paying "nothing at all." According to the court filing, it includes Match's 15 to 30 percent Play Store fees.

The documents stated that Match Group never intended to comply with the contractual terms to which it agreed. Furthermore, it said that relative to other app developers, Match Group will be in an advantaged position .

The Lawsuit Saga Between Google and the Developers Continues

According to Business Insider, a Google spokesperson said that Match Group entered into a contract with the company and this suit seeks to hold Match to its end of the agreement.

Google is looking forward to making their case, and thus, they will continue to defend themselves against Match's baseless claims.

Several mobile applications, including Match Group, Spotify, and Fortnite parent Epic Games, claimed that Google's Play Store and Apple's app store are monopolies.

When users make in-app purchases from an Android or iPhone, Google and Apple take between a 15% and 30% cut from developers.

Match said in a statement to Business Insider that the countersuit is a prime example of a monopoly where the company use its power to frighten other developers into submission. The counterclaims are used by Google as a warning shot as it doesn't want anyone else to sue them..

Match claimed that Google's Play Store policies violate federal and state law. The tech company is confident that early next year, the suit will be resolved favoring them.

This is Match's reference to an antitrust action launched last year by States and the federal government examining Google's Play Store fees.

Engadget reported that Google dropped its fee on app developer revenue shortly before that. It dropped to 15 percent on the first $1 million and 30 percent after that.

Google also announced that all developers should process their payments through the Play Store's billing system.