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Epic Games Sues Google and Samsung Over Auto Blocker in Antitrust Lawsuit

Sep 30, 2024, 12:28 PM

Epic Games has filed a lawsuit in California against Google and Samsung, accusing them of illegally colluding to block competition on Samsung devices. The lawsuit alleges that Samsung's Auto Blocker feature, which is turned on by default on new Samsung phones, prevents users from installing apps from sources other than the Google Play Store or Samsung's Galaxy Store. Epic claims that this feature is intended to deter users from downloading apps from third-party app stores, thereby protecting the Google Play Store from competition and constituting anti-competitive practices. The company asserts that it takes 21 steps to successfully install Fortnite onto a new Samsung device due to these restrictions. This action follows Epic's previous antitrust lawsuits against Apple and Google over app store payment policies, in which a jury found Google's practices illegal. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, asserts that Samsung and Google are violating U.S. antitrust and unfair competition laws by reducing consumer choice and preventing competition that would make apps less expensive. Epic also plans to speak to the European Union about these concerns.