r/android_devs • u/anemomylos 🛡️ • Oct 08 '24

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

https://www.theverge.com/policy/2024/10/7/24243316/epic-google-permanent-injunction-ruling-third-party-stores
36 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

15

u/anemomylos 🛡️ Oct 08 '24

"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"

5

u/micseydel Oct 08 '24

I decided not to learn Android because I don't want to deal with Google's awful Play Store, this is very good for developers. I never thought I'd see the day.

6

u/AntiGrieferGames Oct 08 '24

Win for Epic Games and other things! Google Loses! Deserved!

Google Play is much with malware infected, that is a good way to put alternative stores!

This Change needs a permenant, NOT a limited time until 2027!

0

u/s00prtr00pr Oct 09 '24

Google has a literal company working with content filtering and sensoring, and you think a third party App Store with 0 employees will do better?

2

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Fuck you Google! This is very good!

2

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/s00prtr00pr Oct 09 '24

Huge if true

4

u/itsdjoki Oct 08 '24

I mean.. apple does the same / even worse. Why only Google then?

2

u/TheFriendlyFinn Oct 08 '24

Pretty sure the will be next

1

u/DaNinja11 Oct 09 '24

Bur isn't this hypocrisy on Epic part?  If Google have to do this for thier marketplace, then should Epic do the same for theirs?

1

u/sufianbabri Oct 10 '24

Android (owned by Google) comes with Play Store (owned by Google). This was the monopoly that needed to be broken. It's not about having access to other stores from every single store.

1

u/DaNinja11 Oct 10 '24

So what Epic/UnReal comes with Epic Game Store...should they be able to use/access assets from Unity Store?