Google makes first Play Store changes after losing Epic Games antitrust case

The fight continues

Google is fighting tooth and nail to keep the Play Store locked down, which it says is beneficial for Android users who expect a tidy and safe app ecosystem. The company argued several weeks ago for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the supposed negative impact of the order, asking to freeze the lower court’s order while it prepared its final appeal.

Ultimately, SCOTUS allowed the order to stand, but Google has now asked the high court to hear its appeal in full. The company will try to reverse the original decision, which could return everything to its original state. With Google’s insistence that it only allows this modicum of additional freedom while the district court order is in effect, developers could suffer whiplash if the company has its way.

It is unclear whether the High Court will take up the case and whether it would prevent Google from implementing the next phase of Judge Donato’s order. This includes providing a mirror of Play Store content to third-party app stores and distributing those stores within the Play Store. As these are more complex technical requirements, Google has 10 months from the final decision to comply. This sets the deadline for July 2026.

If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case, arguments likely won’t happen for at least a year. Google could try to push back the deadline to summer 2026 while continuing its case. Even if he loses, the impact could be mitigated somewhat. Google’s planned developer verification system will require all developers, even those who distribute outside of the Play Store, to confirm their identity with Google and pay a processing fee. Apps from unverified developers won’t be able to install on Google-certified Android devices for years to come, regardless of where you get them. This system, supposed to ensure user security, would also give Google more control over the Android application ecosystem, with the Play Store losing its special status.