PARIS (AFP) – The French government said yesterday that it would take legal action against Google and Apple over “abusive business practices”, threatening fines that could further strain transatlantic ties as a trade war looms.
“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 said on RTL radio.
He said in particular that the two US giants imposed financial conditions on French app developers and gathered data on their use, while also saying that “both 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.
