A U.S. federal district court has ordered Google to allow users to download apps other than Google Play on Android phones. This is the result of a lawsuit filed by Epic Games against Google.
According to the Associated Press and other foreign media on the 7th (local time), Federal District Judge James Donato ordered Google to “distribute competitors’ app stores so that consumers can download apps on their phones if they want.”
If Google follows suit, competitors will have access to millions of Android apps in Google Play’s library. Judge Donato told Google to comply with these orders by November.
Judge Donato banned Google from launching the app first or paying to launch it exclusively on Play for three years until Nov. 1, 2027, contracting with manufacturers to pre-install Play in certain locations on Android devices, requiring them to use certain payment systems, or guiding cheaper alternatives in in-app purchases.
Additionally, it signed a contract with the manufacturer to prevent pre-installation of the play in certain locations on Android devices. It is no longer possible to require customers to use the app payment system or tell customers that they can download the app elsewhere at a lower cost.
Google Play has earned billions of dollars in annual revenue by collecting 15 to 30% of fees for digital transactions that have been completed mainly within Android apps. This is similar to the fee structure that Apple applies to the App Store. Four years ago, video game producer Epic Games filed an anti-trust lawsuit with Apple and Google, saying it would promote competition for both app makers and consumers to lower prices.
Google said in a blog that it would appeal, asking the court to withdraw the order.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
