The French government plans to take Apple and Google to court over app store developer contracts

This week it was revealed that the French government has plans to sue both Google and Apple over their developer contracts. According to French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, both companies use “abusive” contractual terms for developers on the iOS App Store and Google Play store.

Speaking on RTL Radio, the French minister said that he had recently been made aware of unilaterally imposed prices and contract changes on developers using Google and Apple's app stores to reach customers. As reported by Reuters, he said:

“I believe in an economy based on justice and I will take Google and Apple before the Paris Commercial Court for abusive business practices. As powerful as they are, Google and Apple should not be able to treat our startups and our developers the way they currently do.”

France's consumer fraud watchdog later confirmed in its own statement that the wheels were already turning and that legal action would begin soon.

Naturally, a Google spokesperson stated that the company believes its terms comply with French laws. Apple has yet to respond, but I'd imagine they will be taking a similarly opposing stance to this latest European legal spat.

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KitGuru Says: Google and Apple always seem to be running into legal issues here in Europe, so this isn't anything particularly new. That said, it isn't often we see governments take issue with Apple of Google's respective developer terms and conditions for their app stores.

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