Temporary agreement prevents Google from
- Forcing mandatory use of Google Play Billing;
- Removing Match Group apps that offer alternate billing
systems from Google Play Store;
- Gaining unfettered access to consumer data and
behavior.
DALLAS, May 20, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH) today announced it has
withdrawn its request for a temporary restraining order against
Google, after Google made various concessions that Match Group
demanded to benefit consumers. Those include guaranteeing that
Match Group apps will still be allowed to offer users choice in
payment systems, lessening the undue burden on developers by its
previously stated policy, and eliminating Google's complete control
over user data. In exchange for withdrawing the temporary
restraining order, Google has conceded the following:
- Match Group apps will not be rejected or removed from the
Google Play Store because they offer alternatives to Google Play
Billing.
- Google will approve Match Group app updates that offer
alternatives to Google Play Billing, continuing to provide users
with the choice and optionality they've grown accustomed to.
- Google will work - in good faith - to fix the deficiencies of
Google Play Billing, outlined HERE. When Google addresses these
problems, Match Group apps that currently do not offer Google Play
Billing will - in good faith - test Google's system on their
platforms, alongside current payment systems.
As part of this arrangement, Match Group plans to put up to
$40 million into an escrow account,
instead of paying Google directly for billing transactions that
occur on Android outside of Google Play Billing. Match Group
maintains that the fees Google is demanding for payments outside of
Google Play Billing are illegal under federal and state law. No
other app or product in Google Play currently pays Google for
transactions that occur outside of Google Play Billing. But,
because of Google's complete monopoly control over the Android app
distribution ecosystem, Match Group has agreed to hold funds in
escrow and maintain the status quo of Match Group apps in the
Google Play Store, until the Court hears and adjudicates the claims
filed against Google on May 9 for
violating federal and California
antitrust laws. Both Match Group and Google can terminate this
agreement, but Match Group retains the option to reinstate its
request for a TRO if that should happen. The date for the trial is
currently set for April 2023.
Match Group believes that Google's behavior will be found to be
anticompetitive, in violation of federal and state antitrust laws,
and the funds in the escrow account will be returned to Match Group
for reinvestment in the business and benefit of consumers.
About Match Group
Match Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTCH), through its portfolio
companies, is a leading provider of digital technologies designed
to help people make meaningful connections. Our global portfolio of
brands includes Tinder®, Match®,
Hinge®, Meetic®, OkCupid®, Pairs™,
PlentyOfFish®, OurTime®, Azar®,
Hakuna Live™, and more, each built to increase our users'
likelihood of connecting with others. Through our trusted brands,
we provide tailored services to meet the varying preferences of our
users. Our services are available in over 40 languages to our users
all over the world.
For further information: Visit EndtheGoogleTax.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/google-concedes-key-issues-on-google-play-policies-match-group-withdraws-temporary-restraining-order-in-response-to-concessions-301551888.html
SOURCE Match Group