Australian Startup Unlockd Brings Antitrust Case Against Google

Mobile advertising startup Unlockd has filed legal proceedings in the United States against Google, claiming it collapsed because of the tech giant’s anti-competitive behavior.

The once high-flying Australian founded startup has filed a 69-page complaint in the state of California, in which it claims it was forced into bankruptcy as a direct result of Google banning Unlockd’s apps from its services.

“Google is no longer the idealistic startup it once claimed to be,” the complaint stated. “It has acquired monopoly power in multiple digital markets, in areas ranging from online search engines to mobile application distribution, and it uses its monopoly power to strengthen its dominance and exclude its competitors, always keeping in mind its core profit driver: digital advertising. Google’s history affirms the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Unlockd was founded by Matt Berriman, Craig Watt, and Chris Kerrisk in Australia in June 2014 and its app displayed advertising to users on Google’s Android operating system when they unlocked their phones.

Its big name backers included Lachlan Murdoch, former Seven Group CEO Peter Gammell, Margaret Jackson, Andrew Walsh, and Catch of the Day founders Hezi and Gabby Leibovich.

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