Lawmakers call the moves anti-competitive behavior
In a move that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called anti-competitive, Google has announced it will remove its YouTube apps from TV streaming app Roku if Roku does not provide Google with special privileges.
At issue are demands made by Google that would change how Roku operates. The demands include a dedicated section of search results for YouTube—something no other Roku partner receives. Roku tells users searching for a movie where to watch it based on their streaming subscriptions; Google is pushing for some searches to route directly to YouTube, even if it means consumers would pay more. And Google wants Roku to provide the valuable search data it receives from users, a demand Roku calls a fundamental threat to business.
