Google's Play Store Must Open Up to Competition per Court Order
Significant Court Decision on Google's App Distribution
A U.S. judge on Monday ordered Alphabet's Google to overhaul its mobile app business to give Android users more options to download apps and to pay for transactions within them, following a jury verdict last year for “Fortnite” maker Epic Games.
Details of the Injunction Issued by Judge Donato
- Changes Required: Google must allow users to download competing third-party Android app platforms or stores.
- In-App Payment Restrictions: For three years, Google cannot prohibit the use of in-app payment methods.
- Revenue and Preinstallation Limitations: The order restricts Google from making payments to device makers to preinstall its app store.
Google and Epic did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Alphabet shares saw a drop of 2.2% in the wake of Judge Donato's ruling.
Outlook and Next Steps
- Establishment of a technical committee involving both Epic and Google to oversee the injunction.
- Google plans to appeal the ruling, seeking to pause the order initially set to take effect on Nov. 1.
- Ongoing scrutiny over Google’s market dominance as multiple antitrust cases unfold.
Epic's lawsuit, initiated in 2020, accused Google of monopolizing access to apps and payment methods, which a jury upheld in their December 2023 decision.
Potential Industry Impact
With significant reforms on the horizon, this ruling could pave the way for a more competitive app ecosystem, challenging Google's long-standing dominance in the market.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.