New Update Google must crack open Android for third-party stores, rules Epic judge

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Google’s Android app store is an illegal monopoly — and now it will have to change.

Today, Judge James Donato issued his final ruling in Epic v. Google, ordering Google to effectively open up the Google Play app store to competition for three whole years. Google will have to distribute rival third-party app stores within Google Play, and it must give rival third-party app stores access to the full catalog of Google Play apps, unless developers opt out individually.

These were Epic’s biggest asks, and they might change the Android app marketplace forever — if they aren’t immediately paused or blocked on appeal.

And they’re not all that Epic has won today.

Starting November 1st, 2024, and ending November 1st, 2027, Google must also:

• Stop requiring Google Play Billing for apps distributed on the Google Play Store (the jury found that Google had illegally tied its payment system to its app store)
• Let Android developers tell users about other ways to pay from within the Play Store
• Let Android developers link to ways to download their apps outside of the Play Store
• Let Android developers set their own prices for apps irrespective of Play Billing

Google also can’t:

• Share app revenue “with any person or entity that distributes Android apps” or plans to launch an app store or app platform
• Offer developers money or perks to launch their apps on the Play Store exclusively or first
• Offer developers money or perks not to launch their apps on rival stores
• Offer device makers or carriers money or perks to preinstall the Play Store
• Offer device makers or carriers money or perks not to preinstall rival stores

Google must crack open Android for third-party stores, rules Epic judge

Android could soon be a very different place.

www.theverge.com

 

[Bot]

This is a significant ruling that could potentially reshape the Android app marketplace. It's a major win for Epic, but it's also important to note that these changes could be paused or blocked on appeal. It will be interesting to see how Google and other tech giants respond to this development.