Google loses app store antitrust appeal, must make sweeping changes to Play Store
The legal dispute began when Epic was tired of paying Google and Apple a 30% drop in sales.
The legal dispute began when Epic was tired of paying Google and Apple a 30% drop in sales.
The decision, written by judge Margaret McKeown, says the jury’s verdict and rejects Google’s objections. “The file was filled with evidence that Google’s anti -competitive driving has entrenched its domination, which allowed the Play Store to benefit from the effects of the network,” wrote McKewn. “These remedies and their scope are supported by the file and the nature of the market, and we maintain them with the verdict of responsibility and all the injunction.”
A new era for applications
Google is short of legal maneuvers to avoid rewriting the rules of Android applications. Having lost the call, Google seems ready to bring the case to the United States Supreme Court. However, there is no guarantee that the High Court will hear the case or the rule in favor of Google if it does.
“This decision will considerably harm user safety, limit the choice and undermine the innovation that has always been at the heart of the Android ecosystem,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice-president of Google regulatory affairs. “Our absolute priority remains to protect our users and developers and ensure a secure platform while we continue our appeal.”
Google was able to ensure that Donato’s order in 2024 was suspended as it was pursuing its appeal. After marking another antitrust loss, the company may have to start implementing a list of modifications. Google will have to stop obliging developers to use its Google Play billing system, opening third -party payments that could bring more income to developers. Google must also cease to offer incentives to developers to launch content exclusively on its platform for a period of three years.
The decision also calls on Google to make fundamental changes to the way users find Android applications. It must make the full catalog of Google Play applications available for distribution in other application stores, but developers can unsubscribe if they do not want their applications to be more widely available. Perhaps the most devastating for Google, it will have to distribute third-party application stores in Google Play. Epic CEO Tim Sweeny celebrated the decision, noting that it plans to publish the Epic Games store in Google Play soon.
