Judge Orders Google to Open Android App Store in Epic Games Case

A U.S. judge has issued a permanent injunction forcing Google to offer alternatives to its Google Play store on Android devices. This landmark ruling, part of Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit against Google, means that the tech giant must allow other app stores to compete and access its Play Store catalog.

The decision comes as a major win for Epic Games, which initially sued Google in 2020, accusing the company of anti-competitive practices such as paying phone manufacturers to avoid developing rival app stores. Under the ruling, starting in November, Google will be restricted from:

• Paying companies to launch apps exclusively on Google Play.
• Preventing companies from creating competing app stores.
• Requiring app makers to use Google Play Billing or preventing them from promoting cheaper pricing options on their websites.

The ruling could reshape the app market by allowing developers to bypass Google’s fees, which typically range from 15% to 30% of sales. This could result in developers keeping a larger share of the revenue from the estimated $124 billion consumers spent on apps in 2023.

In addition to these restrictions, a three-person committee will be established to monitor Google’s compliance with the order. This ruling sets a new precedent in app market competition, paving the way for more choices for consumers and app developers alike.