Google, a unit of Alphabet, has agreed to pay $8 million (roughly Rs. 65 million) to settle claims it used misleading commercials to advertise the Pixel 4 smartphone, Texas Lawyer Common Ken Paxton introduced on Friday.
The search and promoting big, which additionally makes Android smartphone software program and owns YouTube, has been scrutinized for antitrust and client safety infractions by each the federal authorities and state attorneys basic. The federal authorities has filed two antitrust lawsuits.
On this occasion, Paxton’s workplace alleged that Google employed radio announcers to provide testimonials in regards to the Pixel 4 though the corporate had refused to permit them to make use of one of many telephones.
“If Google goes to promote in Texas, their statements higher be true,” Paxton mentioned in a press release. “On this case, the corporate made statements that have been blatantly false, and our settlement holds Google accountable for mendacity to Texans for monetary acquire.”
Google mentioned in a press release that it takes compliance with promoting legal guidelines critically. “We’re happy to resolve this situation,” mentioned spokesperson Jose Castaneda.
In the meantime, Google can be going through points in India because the competitors watchdog has begun an inquiry into the corporate after some firms alleged the service payment the US agency costs for in-app funds breaches an earlier antitrust directive, a regulatory order seen by Reuters confirmed on Friday.
Tinder-owner Match Group and Indian startups have requested the watchdog to analyze Google’s new Person Selection Billing (UCB) system, which they alleged was anti-competitive.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday issued an order stating “it’s of the opinion that an inquiry must be made.”
© Thomson Reuters 2023