The Android operating system has the reputation of being more open than iOS, its competitor developed by Apple. This discourse has returned to the scene in Europe, following Apple’s decision to comply with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Apple brand’s application ecosystem is currently experiencing historic changes, moving closer to Android on several points. A small resemblance which should not make us forget that the Android system that we know depends greatly on the actions of Google. As we have seen with the American embargo which hit Huawei, Google services (GMS) are essential to benefit from a complete experience. A control over the OS which is regularly denounced by some, like Epic Games.
The game publisher Fortnite has started a highly publicized legal battle against Apple, but also against Google. He accused the American search giant of illegal monopoly on the applications market with its application store. Justice finally ruled in favor of Epic Games at the end of 2023, recognizing that Google was guilty of abuse of a dominant position with its Play Store. An American judge is now imposing drastic changes on Google and pushing the firm to open the doors of its Play Store to competition.
Alternative stores, end of exclusives… Google must fundamentally transform the Play Store
Judge James Donato aims to give Android users more options. It demands that Google distribute alternative stores in the Play Store, opening the American giant’s store to unprecedented competition. Concretely, Android users will be able to download the Epic Games Store or F-Droid from the Google Play Store. It will no longer be necessary to go through a circuitous route, as is currently the case. In addition, Google will have to authorize third-party application stores to distribute Google Play applications, unless developers choose not to offer them through alternative stores.
The judge’s decision, as reported by Reuters, also marks the end of financial agreements between Google and device manufacturers or mobile operators. The search engine is prohibited from negotiating to have applications exclusively on the Play Store or to prevent competition from its store. It also becomes impossible for Google to find agreements with manufacturers or distributors so that they pre-install the Play Store.
Finally, Google is no longer able to require payment via Google Play for applications distributed in its application store. It will have to allow developers to detail other ways of paying from the Play Store. A procedure which frees the Play Store billing system, which allows the American giant to recover a commission of between 15 and 30%. Developers will be able to redirect users to other stores by integrating links.
Google appeals the decision
The only good news for Google in this matter is that it retains some control over the security of the Play Store. Faced with competing stores, Google is able to “take reasonable measures” Who “are strictly necessary and narrowly tailored”but above all « comparables » to the way the firm currently monitors its store. The Californian group will be able to charge management fees and Epic has repeatedly asked that Google not take advantage of this opportunity to dissuade alternative stores. Everything is therefore not yet written and it is likely that discussions will continue between the two camps. The judge also gives Google and Epic eight months to reach an agreement on their disputes.
The court decision must take effect on November 1, but Google still has hope of reversing the situation. The company has decided to appeal and requests a temporary suspension of the verdict. “We are appealing this decision and will ask the courts to suspend the changes requested by Epic, pending this appeal”explains Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president of regulatory affairs at Google. This would delay the Play Store revolution and perhaps give Google time to find a more favorable outcome.
Meanwhile, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney reacted with humor to Google’s decision to appeal:
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Following its loss in Epic v Google and today’s remedies verdict requiring Google Play to open up to competing stores in the USA, Google has announced it will a peel. https://t.co/lsBSORHicF pic.twitter.com/EAjXhFV1mQ
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) October 7, 2024
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