Judge Orders Google to Slash 'Anticompetitive Friction' for Rival App Stores
AI-generated image · US National Wire
A San Francisco judge has mandated that Google remove unnecessary hurdles preventing users from installing third-party app stores on Android.
Judge James Donato has ordered Google to eliminate what he described as "anticompetitive friction" regarding the installation of rival app stores on the Android platform, according to reporting from The Verge.
The ruling comes as part of the ongoing Epic v. Google litigation. Following a jury's determination nearly three years ago that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android apps, Judge Donato previously ordered Google to host rival stores within the Google Play Store and grant competitors access to its full app catalog.
During a recent hearing, lawyer Yonatan Even of Epic Games demonstrated that Google continued to make installation difficult. The Verge reports that searches for "store for apps" in the Play Store yielded physical retail locations, such as Walmart, rather than digital app stores. Judge Donato declared this "not acceptable" and ordered Google to ensure all relevant search variations surface rival stores.
Additionally, the judge ordered Google to remove a "view" button that users must click before they can select "install" for a third-party store, and to eliminate a banner that forces users to a dedicated page when searching for specific rivals, such as Aptoide. Judge Donato dismissed Google's argument that these steps were necessary due to advanced permissions, stating the existing warnings on third-party pages were sufficient.
Google's counsel agreed to the changes, which Judge Donato ordered to be implemented within one week.