A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google must allow Android apps from rival tech companies on its Google Play app store for three years, beginning next month.
The decision, made by Judge James Donato, stems from a case brought against Google by Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite.
Google has stated it plans to appeal and will seek to delay the implementation of these remedies.
A jury in December had previously ruled in favor of Epic, which accused Google of restricting competition by controlling app distribution and payments on Android devices.
Google expressed concerns that the ruling could compromise user privacy and security, while also making it harder for developers to promote their apps.
The company argued, “The changes would put consumers’ privacy and security at risk… and reduce competition on devices.”
Legal experts view this decision as a significant move to challenge the influence of dominant tech platforms.
Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School, said, “It shows that courts are willing to ask dominant platforms to share access with rivals in the name of competition.”
One of the key remedies from the ruling requires Google to make its app catalogue accessible to competing app stores.
Stanford Law professor Mark Lemley pointed out that while antitrust law typically wouldn’t demand such actions, “once you have violated antitrust laws, courts can order you to do affirmative things to undo the harm caused.”
Google had argued that its Play Store operates in a competitive market, citing competition with Apple, which was also sued by Epic in 2020.
However, that case concluded with an appeals court ruling that Apple does not hold a monopoly in mobile games.
The ruling is part of a series of legal challenges Google has faced over competition. In August, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sided with the Department of Justice, which accused Google of maintaining an illegal monopoly in online search.
Google also faces separate antitrust claims related to its dominance in digital advertising.
Critics of Google argue that its fees, which can reach 30% of app payments, have led to inflated prices for consumers.
Lee Hepner, Senior Legal Counsel at the American Economic Liberties Project, remarked, “That is a rate they were able to charge because they were a monopoly.”
He believes the ruling will incentivize more developers to enter the market, which should lower costs for consumers.
Source-BBC
