Turkey’s Competition Authority said on Friday it has launched an investigation into Alphabet Inc. and several of its Google subsidiaries over allegations that the company abused its dominant position in the market for mobile application distribution.
The probe covers Alphabet Inc., Google Ireland Limited, Google LLC, Google International LLC and Google Reklamcılık ve Pazarlama Ltd. Şti, collectively referred to as Google. The authority said the investigation was opened under Article 41 of Act No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition, following a preliminary inquiry.
The case focuses on claims that Google required developers offering apps on its Play Store to use the company’s own billing system, Google Play Billing (GPB), and prevented them from informing users about alternative payment channels. Such restrictions could limit competition in digital payment services and reduce consumer choice.
After assessing information, documents and observations gathered during its preliminary review, the Competition Board decided at its meeting on Aug. 7 that the findings were sufficient to justify a full investigation. The decision was recorded as No. 25-29/680-M.
The authority said the proceedings will determine whether Google’s conduct violates Article 6 of Act No. 4054, which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position. The launch of the case does not mean an infringement has been established, it added, noting that the investigation will clarify the facts and assess the competitive effects of the company’s practices.
Turkey has previously fined Google over competition concerns, including in cases involving search and advertising markets. The latest investigation adds to growing global regulatory scrutiny of the company’s app store and billing policies, which have also drawn attention from regulators in the European Union, the United States and Asia.
