Be looking out for the Epic Video games Retailer, because it ought to seem on the Google Play Retailer quickly. After dropping its attraction of a decide’s order, Google will now should overhaul its app retailer insurance policies. This contains letting third-party app shops onto its platform.
As we speak, the Ninth Circuit Court docket of Appeals determined (by way of Bloomberg) to uphold the ruling from the authentic Epic v. Google lawsuit. This resolution discovered the Play Retailer and the tech big’s cost techniques to be monopolies. In consequence, Google must observe the cures from that antitrust case. These cures embrace limiting the corporate’s capability to pay telephone makers to preinstall the Play Retailer, permitting builders to make use of different cost techniques, and opening up Android to third-party app shops.
This resolution comes after Google gained a non permanent administrative keep in 2024. Nevertheless, Google was nonetheless pressured to cease making offers with different telephone producers that prohibited delivery {hardware} with non-Google app shops put in.
After the ruling was handed down, Google’s VP of Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, supplied the next assertion:
This resolution will considerably hurt person security, restrict alternative, and undermine the innovation that has at all times been central to the Android ecosystem. Our high precedence stays defending our customers and builders, and guaranteeing a safe platform as we proceed our attraction.
Builders Alliance Board Chair Jake Ward echoes the sentiment that Google provided. In an announcement despatched to Android Authority, Ward mentioned:
The Ninth Circuit has spoken — and apparently, constructing a safe platform that sparks innovation is now grounds for punishment. By upholding the District Court docket’s cures, the court docket has handed Apple full dominance of the app market on a silver platter.
These misguided cures is not going to promote competitors or assist shoppers, however will jeopardize the belief and worth that builders discover within the Android ecosystem. Forcing Google to distribute third-party app shops on Google Play and permitting builders to hyperlink to unsecure locations creates safety issues that can undermine shopper belief in Android.
In an unsettled financial system, builders want assist and stability — not judicial overreach that introduces new dangers and obstacles to success.
In the meantime, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney praised the choice, claiming “whole victory” on X (previously Twitter). He adopted that social submit with one other that introduced that the Epic Video games Retailer for Android will now be coming to the Play Retailer as a result of verdict.