Google’s longstanding dominance in the Android distribution market might be coming to an end after the tech giant was forced to offer alternatives to its Play Store. A court decision that would help app devs save some cash doesn’t sit well with the tech giant as Google insists it will put user privacy and security at risk.
“Big news! The Epic Games Store and other app stores are coming to the Google Play Store in 2025 in the USA – without Google's scare screens and Google's 30% app tax – thanks to victory in Epic v Google,” Tim Sweeney, Epic Games founder and CEO, posted on X on Monday.
In an ongoing antitrust lawsuit between Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, and Google, Judge James Donato announced new rules that, according to US media reports, seem to have secured a win for Epic.
The injunction orders Google to stop engaging in anti-competitive behaviors and must allow other third-party app stores in the Android ecosystem. This will take effect in November and remain until 2027.
From November, Google must stop:
- Paying developers to launch apps only or initially on their platform
- Paying off competing companies
- Paying companies to preload Google Play on new devices
- Restricting users from seeking alternative payment methods
- Requiring developers to use its billing system for apps in the Play Store
- Hindering developers from creating their own prices for apps
Google must also:
- Allow Android app stores to access apps found on Google Play store
- Allow third-party Android app stores within its app store
According to CNBC, Epic Games and Google must form a committee to oversee technical problems related to Google’s compliance.
Epic Games, among other developers, has long complained about the draconian fee (30%) on in-app purchases. The court decision should allow app creators to save more revenue. On the day it took Google to court, Epic sued Apple over the same matter.
Google fights back
Unsurprisingly, Google isn’t happy about the outcome and has vowed to appeal the Epic Games verdict.
“The Epic verdict missed the obvious: Apple and Android clearly compete. We will appeal and ask the courts to pause implementing the remedies to maintain a consistent and safe experience for users and developers as the legal process moves forward,”
Google said in a blog post.
The tech giant went on to say that while this verdict will “presumably satisfy Epic, they will cause a range of unintended consequences” that are bound to hurt American consumers, app developers, and hardware makers.
Google pulls the Apple card by saying that, unlike iOS, Android is an open platform that has supposedly “always allowed for choice and flexibility.”
Epic vs Google
After its battle with Apple, Epic decided to take a stab at Google, accusing the tech giant of running an app monopoly.
“Google’s actions force app developers and consumers into Google’s own monopolized app store – the Google Play Store,” states Epic in the initial complaint.
According to reports, Google exhibited anti-competitive behaviors, such as paying off hardware companies and Android phone developers to stifle competing app stores.
Epic claimed to not want any monetary compensation or perks from Google. The game developer just wanted Google to transform into an open and competitive Andriod ecosystem for all users and those in the industry.
In 2023, Epic Games prevailed in its high-profile antitrust trial over Alphabet's Google, which alleged the Play app store operated as an illegal monopoly, in a ruling that, if it holds, could upend the entire app store economy – which we’re seeing now as Google must abide by a new set of rules.
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