The French government said Wednesday that it would take Google and Apple to court over “abusive business practices” against smaller rivals, threatening fines that could further strain transatlantic ties as fears of a trade war grow.
Published on The Manilla Times | By Agence France-Presse
“I believe in an economy based on justice and I will take Google and Apple before the Paris Commercial Court for abusive business practices” against French start-ups, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told RTL radio.
He said in particular that the two US giants imposed financial conditions on French app developers while siphoning data on their use, and that both Apple and Google “can unilaterally modify contracts”.
Technology start-ups are a favourite of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has sought to overhaul the nation’s laws and regulations to allow entrepreneurs to flourish.
The action is based on an inquiry by France’s anti-fraud office from 2015 to 2017 which uncovered “a significant imbalance” in their relations with French companies, a finance ministry source told AFP.
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