Judge Orders Google to Open Android App Store to Rivals After Epic Games Antitrust Win

Oct 7, 2024, 08:04 PM

U.S. District Judge James Donato has ordered Google to open up its Android app store, Google Play, to allow more competition, following an antitrust lawsuit brought by Epic Games. The ruling requires Google to permit the distribution of rival app stores via Google Play and to lift restrictions that prevent developers from establishing competing marketplaces. Additionally, Google is banned from offering financial incentives to discourage competition. The mandated changes are to be implemented starting in November 2024 and will last for three years, fundamentally altering Google's app distribution and in-app payment practices on Android devices.