U.S. Judge Rules Google Must Allow Rival App Stores on Its Platform

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google must allow Android apps from rival tech firms to be available on its Google Play store for a period of three years, starting next month.

This ruling is one of several remedies ordered by Judge James Donato in a case brought against Google by Epic Games, the company behind the popular video game Fortnite.

Google plans to appeal the decision and request a delay on the implementation of the proposed remedies.

Last December, a jury sided with Epic Games, which accused Google of stifling competition by controlling the distribution of apps and payments on Android devices.

Google expressed concern in a statement, saying the changes could compromise consumer privacy and security, make it harder for developers to promote their apps, and reduce competition on Android devices.

Some legal experts have praised the ruling, viewing it as a significant challenge to the dominance of major tech firms.

“It shows courts may be willing to require dominant platforms to share access with rivals to encourage competition,” said Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.

The ruling also called for Google to make its app catalog accessible to competing app stores, a measure that is not typically required under antitrust law. However, Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, noted that once antitrust laws are violated, courts can impose remedies to reverse the harm, even if the company was not originally required to take those actions.

Google argued that its Play Store operates within a competitive landscape, pointing to competition with Apple, which faced a similar lawsuit from Epic Games in 2020. In that case, an appeals court ruled that Apple does not have a monopoly in mobile games.

This latest ruling is part of a broader legal challenge to Google’s business practices. In August, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in favor of the Department of Justice, which accused Google of running an illegal monopoly in online search. Additionally, last month, District Judge Leonie Brinkema concluded hearings over government allegations that Google dominates the ad tech market.

Critics of Google argue that its app store fees, which can reach up to 30% per transaction, have resulted in higher prices for consumers.

“That rate was only possible because of Google’s monopoly power,” said Lee Hepner, Senior Legal Counsel at the American Economic Liberties Project. Hepner also stated that the ruling could spur increased competition among developers and potentially lower prices for consumers.