In a bold move, Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game “Fortnite,” has urged a federal judge in California to take action against Google for abusing its power as a gatekeeper for apps on the Android mobile platform. The request comes after a jury found Google guilty of abusing its power and restricting competition on its Play Store.
Epic Games proposed in a court filing to U.S. District Judge James Donato in San Francisco to require Google Play Store to allow the distribution of competing third-party app stores for six years. Additionally, they want to limit Google’s ability to make agreements with device makers to restrict preloading of competing app stores.
The jury verdict against Google in December highlighted the tech giant’s unlawful practices in impeding developers’ ability to distribute their apps freely outside of the Play Store and controlling payments for in-app transactions. Epic Games’ proposed injunction also aims to prevent Google from restricting how apps can inform users about out-of-app purchasing options.
Google has denied any wrongdoing and defended its app store practices. The company has until May 3 to respond to Epic’s proposal. Epic’s lawsuit does not seek monetary damages but aims to bring about significant reforms in Google’s app store policies.
This legal battle is just one of many in the tech industry, with Epic Games also challenging Apple’s grip on its App Store. As the fight for fair competition in the digital marketplace continues, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for app developers and consumers alike. Stay tuned for updates as the legal battle unfolds.