Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is facing an antitrust complaint from six rights groups in the European Union, which accuse the company of violating the Digital Markets Act.
The groups urged the European Commission to investigate whether Alphabet is making it difficult for users to uninstall pre-installed apps on Android devices.
The complaint claims Alphabet designed its Android operating system to hide the option to disable its own apps. It also says the company discourages users who try to remove the apps.
Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, companies that provide core platform services must allow users to easily uninstall software applications.
The groups behind the complaint include ARTICLE 19, European Digital Rights, Free Software Foundation Europe, Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte, Homo Digitalis, and Vrijschrift.org. They argue that Alphabet’s actions do not comply with the rules meant to increase user choice and reduce Big Tech dominance.
Alphabet denied the allegations. A company spokesperson said it is easy to uninstall apps on Android and that the issue has been dismissed by other regulators, including the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
The European Commission confirmed that it received the complaint and said it is reviewing it under its standard procedures.
