Google's Groundbreaking Ruling on Android and Third-Party App Stores
Monday, 7 October 2024, 13:50
Overview of the Ruling
On October 7, Judge James Donato issued his final ruling in the Epic Games v. Google lawsuit. As noted by The Verge, the ruling mandates Google to implement several critical changes to the Google Play Store.
Key Changes Enforced by the Ruling
- Google must allow alternative app stores within Google Play.
- Third-party app stores can distribute all apps available on Google Play.
- Google is prohibited from sharing revenue generated by Google Play with any party distributing Android apps.
- The company cannot pay developers for exclusive launches on Google Play.
- Restrictions against OEMs or carriers for preinstalling Google Play versus competing app stores.
- Developers are free to use payment methods outside of Google Play Billing.
Implications for the Future
The injunction takes effect on November 1, 2024, and many provisions will remain in place until November 1, 2027. While this timeline is shorter than what Epic Games sought, it marks a historic shift for Android.
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.