site.btaTurkish Competition Authority Investigates Google for Alleged Restrictions on Payment Services

The Turkish Competition Authority (RK) is launching an investigation into Google and its terms and conditions relating to payments through its Play Store app, Turkish state television TRT Haber reported on Friday. The investigation was launched following an analysis of the mobile phone and app ecosystem, which was conducted due to suspicions that Google imposes restrictions on payment services for app developers.

The analysis showed that the giant does not inform consumers about alternative payment methods and forces them, as well as app developers, to use the Google Play billing system.

The investigation also covers five Google subsidiaries. The RK pointed out that the decision to investigate does not necessarily mean that the companies have violated the relevant legislation or that they are or will be subject to sanctions.

This is yet another investigation by the RK against global companies. In July, the regulator launched an investigation into the music platform Spotify regarding the fair distribution of royalties to artists. An investigation was also launched into the Mastercard and Visa card payment systems for possible violations of competition rules.