Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store
1 year ago

Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal court jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire. The nine-person jury in the Play Store case apparently saw things through a different lens, even though Google technically allows Android apps to be downloaded from different stores — an option that Apple prohibits on the iPhone. Epic lawyer Gary Bornstein depicted Google as a ruthless bully that deploys a “bribe and block” strategy to discourage competition against its Play Store for Android apps. “The competition between the app stores is tied to the competition between the phones.” But Bornstein ridiculed the notion of Google and Android competing against Apple and its incompatible iPhone software system.

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History of this topic

India's Competition Commission starts new probe into Google's app store policies following Winzo’s complaint
3 weeks, 4 days ago

India's Competition Commission starts new probe into Google's app store policies following Winzo’s complaint

Firstpost  

Winzo’s claims that Google, through its Play Store, imposes unreasonable terms on app developers via its Developer Distribution Agreement and Developer Program Policies. These policies create a one-sided relationship that limit developers’ ability to operate fairly in the market This investigation is not Google’s first brush with India’s competition watchdog. The probe centres around allegations that Google’s app store policies …

Google says selling Chrome or Android would ‘break them’ in response to DOJ: Report
1 month ago

Google says selling Chrome or Android would ‘break them’ in response to DOJ: Report

Hindustan Times  

Selling the Chrome browser would harm consumers and businesses, a BBC report quoted Google as saying in the light of the US Department of Justice considering to rule such a proposal over the antitrust lawsuit. A large Google logo is seen at Google's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California, on August 13, 2024 This comes after Judge Amit Mehta …

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store
2 months ago

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store

LA Times  

A panel of judges will be given time to consider Google’s appeal of the 2023 trial focused on antitrust claims lodged by video game maker Epic Games. A federal judge on Friday delayed an order requiring Google to open up its Android app store to more competition until an appeals court decides whether to block the shake-up because of legal …

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store
2 months ago

Judge delays order in antitrust case requiring Google to open up its app store

The Independent  

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Federal judge orders Google to open its Android app store to competition
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Federal judge orders Google to open its Android app store to competition

The Independent  

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Fortnite Maker Epic Games Sues Google & Samsung Over Play Store Rules, South Korean Manufacturer Responds
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Fortnite Maker Epic Games Sues Google & Samsung Over Play Store Rules, South Korean Manufacturer Responds

ABP News  

Legal cases for Fortnite maker Epic Games seems to be an everending loop. Epic Games has now sued Google and Samsung of conspiring to protect Google Play store from competition. The Fortnite maker filed a lawsuit in the US federal court in California accusing Samsung mobile security feature called Auto Blocker of intending to deter users from downloading apps from …

Epic Games expands feud with Google in suit over Samsung phone settings
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Epic Games expands feud with Google in suit over Samsung phone settings

LA Times  

Epic Games expanded its antitrust legal fight with Google by accusing the tech giant of conspiring with Samsung Electronics Co. to block rival app marketplaces. Epic Games Inc. expanded its antitrust legal fight with Alphabet Inc.’s Google by accusing the tech giant of conspiring with Samsung Electronics Co. to block rival app marketplaces through default settings on mobile devices sold …

Fortnite Maker Epic Games Challenges Apple’s Dominance With New iOS App Store
4 months, 1 week ago

Fortnite Maker Epic Games Challenges Apple’s Dominance With New iOS App Store

Wired  

Epic Games today officially launched a rival app store for iOS in the European Union, marking the first time Apple’s own App Store has had to face a serious rival. The Epic Games Store will initially offer Epic’s games, including Fortnite, for users to download onto their iPhones, with plans to start onboarding third-party developers’ games beginning in December. The …

‘Fortnite’ publisher debuts mobile storefront after years in court
4 months, 1 week ago

‘Fortnite’ publisher debuts mobile storefront after years in court

LA Times  

Gaming fans play “Fortnite. Publisher Epic Games is launching a new mobile storefront Friday after four years of legal wrangling with Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google over their app store practices. Epic Games Inc. is launching a new mobile storefront Friday after four years of legal wrangling with Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google over their app store practices. …

Epic Games aims to ‘fight’ Apple over ‘absurd’ app approval decision
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Epic Games aims to ‘fight’ Apple over ‘absurd’ app approval decision

Hindustan Times  

Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, has declared its intention to continue its battle against Apple regarding changes the tech giant reportedly wants to make to Epic’s app store. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo This ongoing conflict stems from Apple’s initial rejection of Epic’s marketplace app, which was later reversed after public criticism from Epic Games’ chief executive, Tim …

Judge weighs proposed changes to Google’s Android app store to prevent anticompetitive tactics
7 months ago

Judge weighs proposed changes to Google’s Android app store to prevent anticompetitive tactics

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google is tried to confront the latest in a succession of legal attacks on its digital empire on Thursday as federal judge began to address anticompetitive practices in the app market for smartphones powered by its Android software. The San Francisco court hearing before U.S. District Judge James Donato comes five months after a nine-person jury decided …

Epic Games Proposes Google App Store Reforms After Antitrust Win
8 months, 1 week ago

Epic Games Proposes Google App Store Reforms After Antitrust Win

News 18  

-“Fortnite” video game maker Epic Games has urged a federal judge in California to force Google to open up its Play Store to greater competition after a jury found the U.S. tech giant had abused its power as a gatekeeper for apps on the Android mobile platform. Epic made its proposal in a court filing on Thursday to U.S. District …

Who will win the fight between Apple and the White House?
9 months ago

Who will win the fight between Apple and the White House?

The Independent  

Apple did not mince its words. But while the action was met with near-hysterical approval by consumer groups and campaigners, and described in existential terms by Apple itself, the corporation’s shares fell by only 4 per cent. Apple’s tactic all along has been to stress that, as co-founder and guru Steve Jobs eulogised, the reason the iPhone has grown so …

Apple made the iPhone worse to keep its monopoly over smartphones, US DoJ says in antitrust lawsuit
9 months ago

Apple made the iPhone worse to keep its monopoly over smartphones, US DoJ says in antitrust lawsuit

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The lawsuit accused Apple of making the iPhone worse in various ways – including reducing privacy protections …

Apple sued over iPhone monopoly by US justice department in landmark antitrust case
9 months ago

Apple sued over iPhone monopoly by US justice department in landmark antitrust case

Hindustan Times  

The United States Justice Department launched a significant lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, alleging that the tech giant has created an unlawful monopoly in the smartphone industry, limiting competition and hindering innovation. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New Jersey, accuses Apple of holding a monopoly in the smartphone market and utilising its dominance over the iPhone to …

Meta, Microsoft, X are teaming up to fight Apple’s plan to open up App Store to other external payment options
9 months ago

Meta, Microsoft, X are teaming up to fight Apple’s plan to open up App Store to other external payment options

Firstpost  

Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, X Corp, and Match Group Inc have jointly urged a federal judge to dismiss Apple’s proposed plan to open its App Store to external payment options While Apple maintains it is complying with the court order while safeguarding the privacy and security of its app store users, it continues to seek a revenue share from …

What the DOJ’s antitrust suit against Apple means for everyone with an iPhone
9 months ago

What the DOJ’s antitrust suit against Apple means for everyone with an iPhone

LA Times  

Greater freedom for app developers on the App Store. In 2020, Epic Games sued Apple after it got kicked out of the App Store when its game “Fortnite” was attempting to circumvent Apple’s charge on in-app purchases. “We do not expect any business model changes for now, but Apple clearly is going to have to find a way to eventually …

U.S., California sue Apple, alleging company monopolized smartphone market
9 months ago

U.S., California sue Apple, alleging company monopolized smartphone market

LA Times  

The U.S. Justice Department filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, alleging that the technology giant attempted to monopolize the smartphone market. The U.S. Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general, including California’s, filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, alleging that the technology giant attempted to monopolize the smartphone market to boost its business. “Consumers …

Competition watchdog orders probe against Google for Playstore pricing policy. What's the issue?
9 months, 1 week ago

Competition watchdog orders probe against Google for Playstore pricing policy. What's the issue?

Hindustan Times  

The competition regulator ordered an investigation against Google on Friday for suspected anti-competitive practices regarding its pricing policy on the Play Store. Google under scrutiny for alleged discriminatory payment policies on Play Store The Competition Commission of India said that the informants were primarily concerned about Google's revised payment policies related to its proprietary app store, Google Play Store, which …

Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

European regulators want to question Apple after it blocks Epic Games app store
9 months, 2 weeks ago

European regulators want to question Apple after it blocks Epic Games app store

Associated Press  

LONDON — European Union regulators said they want to question Apple over accusations that it blocked video game company Epic Games from setting up its own app store, in a possible violation of digital rules that took effect in the 27-nation bloc Thursday. Epic asserted Wednesday that Apple thwarted its attempt to set up its own iOS app marketplace to …

Apple blocks Epic Games from launch new app store for iPhones in EU, escalates feud
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple blocks Epic Games from launch new app store for iPhones in EU, escalates feud

Firstpost  

Apple’s denial of Epic’s application could prompt scrutiny of its compliance with the DMA. This development follows Apple’s recent adjustments to its app distribution policies in response to feedback, aiming to align with the DMA’s requirements Apple’s denial of Epic's application could prompt scrutiny of its compliance with the DMA. This development follows Apple’s recent adjustments to its app distribution …

Apple's Feud With Epic Games Gets Uglier: iPhone Maker Terminates Latter's Developer Account From App Store
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple's Feud With Epic Games Gets Uglier: iPhone Maker Terminates Latter's Developer Account From App Store

ABP News  

Apple has escalated its feud with Epic Games by blocking the Fortnite video game maker from launching its own online marketplace on iPhones and iPads in Europe. Apple and Epic Games have been battling each other legally since 2020 when the gaming firm alleged that Apple's up to 30 per cent commissions on in-app payments on its iPhone Operating System …

Apple terminates Fortnite maker Epic Games' developer account
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Apple terminates Fortnite maker Epic Games' developer account

Hindustan Times  

On Wednesday, Fortnite maker Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Apple has rejected their application for a developer account necessary to launch their app store in Europe. Sweeney expressed his disapproval of Apple’s actions, stating, “The manner in which Apple is going about killing Epic here as a competitor to the App Store is super egregious. The friction between …

PhonePe launches app store to take on Google’s Play Store
10 months ago

PhonePe launches app store to take on Google’s Play Store

Hindustan Times  

Walmart-backed Indian fintech PhonePe on Wednesday launched its app store for Android called Indus Appstore, becoming the first Indian rival to Google’s Play Store. The company is in conversation with multiple phone manufacturers so that the app store can come pre-loaded on different Android cellphones, founder and PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam said at the launch event in Delhi. “We are …

Supreme Court rebuffs Apple’s appeal on app payments, threatening billions in revenue
11 months, 1 week ago

Supreme Court rebuffs Apple’s appeal on app payments, threatening billions in revenue

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed a court order to take effect that could loosen Apple’s grip on its lucrative iPhone app store, threatening to siphon billions of dollars away from one of the world’s most profitable companies., The justices rejected Apple’s appeal of lower-court rulings that found some of Apple’s app store rules for apps purchased on …

Apple may have just lost big at the Supreme Court
11 months, 1 week ago

Apple may have just lost big at the Supreme Court

LA Times  

The Supreme Court declined to take up Apple’s appeal of lower-court rulings that found some of Apple’s app store rules for apps purchased on more than 1 billion iPhones constitute unfair competition under California law. The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed a court order to take effect that could loosen Apple’s grip on its lucrative iPhone app store, potentially siphoning …

US Supreme Court rejects Fortnite-maker Epic Games' bid to open iPhone to alternative app stores
11 months, 1 week ago

US Supreme Court rejects Fortnite-maker Epic Games' bid to open iPhone to alternative app stores

New Indian Express  

WSHINGTON: The CEO of Fortnite-maker Epic Games said Tuesday the company's court battle to open up Apple's iPhone to alternative app stores was lost after the US Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Epic in 2020 launched a case aiming to break Apple's grip on the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of operating a monopoly in its shop …

Epic vs. Google: What changes will we see on our phones?
1 year ago

Epic vs. Google: What changes will we see on our phones?

Slate  

There’s a middleman living in your phone. Epic wants developers to be able to list their apps on the Google Play Store—with lower fees, of course—but it also wants the freedom to offer users its own app store and billing system. Moss says she expects that Donato may opt for the lowest-hanging fruit, perhaps by issuing an injunction against Google’s …

Google's and Apple's walled gardens will survive Epic’s court win
1 year ago

Google's and Apple's walled gardens will survive Epic’s court win

Live Mint  

A San Francisco jury took less than four hours to decide on Monday that Google was running an illegal monopoly designed to exact huge fees from app developers. Epic, which sued both Google parent Alphabet Inc and Apple in 2020, was being kicked out of Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store for attempting to circumvent these app stores’ required …

Does the Epic v. Google ruling spell the beginning of the end for Google?
1 year ago

Does the Epic v. Google ruling spell the beginning of the end for Google?

Slate  

Two years after losing out in an antitrust case meant to puncture Apple’s dominance of the smartphone-app marketplace, the video game juggernaut Epic Games has finally notched a historic victory—one worthy of its name—against a different Big Tech giant. Epic Games’ attorneys, who simultaneously filed lawsuits against Apple and Google back in 2020, had lodged similar accusations against both companies, …

Epic wins its antitrust lawsuit against the Play Store. What does this verdict mean for Google?
1 year ago

Epic wins its antitrust lawsuit against the Play Store. What does this verdict mean for Google?

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google lost an antitrust lawsuit over barriers to its Android app store, as a federal court jury has decided that the company’s payments system was anticompetitive and damaged smartphone consumers and software developers. They sided with Epic, whose lawyer depicted Google as a ruthless bully that deploys a “bribe and block” strategy to discourage competition against its …

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games
54 years, 11 months ago

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games

Wired  

Epic says in an unsigned blog post that the “verdict is a win for all app developers and consumers around the world. It proves that Google’s app store practices are illegal and they abuse their monopoly to extract exorbitant fees, stifle competition and reduce innovation.” It called on regulators and legislators to take action to “address Apple and Google strangleholds …

Google loses antitrust fight with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games
1 year ago

Google loses antitrust fight with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games

LA Times  

Braden Dunlap dances with Fortnite’s Tricera Ops, right, and Frozen Red Knight during Comic-Con International’s Preview Night at the San Diego Convention Center in 2019. Google’s mobile app store maintains a monopoly in the market for distribution of programs and payments on its Android software, a federal jury in California has decided, dealing a blow to the technology giant in …

CEO of Fortnite game maker casts Google as a ‘crooked’ bully in testimony during Android app trial
1 year, 1 month ago

CEO of Fortnite game maker casts Google as a ‘crooked’ bully in testimony during Android app trial

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney on Monday portrayed Google as a ruthless bully that resorts to shady tactics to protect a predatory payment system. Unlike Apple’s iPhone app store, Google already allows competition to the Play Store — something that Epic tried to do when it decided to roll out Fortnite for Android phones in 2018 on …

Why Google Was Happy To Pay $147 Million To Get Fortnite On Play Store For Android Users
1 year, 1 month ago

Why Google Was Happy To Pay $147 Million To Get Fortnite On Play Store For Android Users

News 18  

Google has been sharing a lot of interesting details over the past few weeks as the company tackles multiple lawsuits over its business practice. Similarly, Google and Epic Games had discussions around the prospect of getting Fortnite on the Play Store for which Google was willing to pay over $140 million to the developer. Resisting the temptation from Google, the …

Fortnite maker accuses Google of bullying and bribing to block competition to its Android app store
1 year, 1 month ago

Fortnite maker accuses Google of bullying and bribing to block competition to its Android app store

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Google on Monday confronted the second major U.S. antitrust trial in two months to cast the internet powerhouse as a brazen bully that uses its immense wealth and people’s dependence on one of its main products to stifle competition at consumers’ expense. The trial that opened in a San Francisco federal court targets the Google Play Store …

A Jury Will Decide If Google's App Store Is an Unjust Monopoly
1 year, 1 month ago

A Jury Will Decide If Google's App Store Is an Unjust Monopoly

Wired  

When Fortnite video game creator Epic Games sued Google in 2020 over the monopoly held by its official Google Play Android app store, its allegations that the company was unfairly restricting competition immediately resonated with developer Hans-Christoph Steiner. If Epic beats Google at the trial scheduled to begin tomorrow in San Francisco, Google may be forced to make it easier …

Alphabet, Match settle Google Play antitrust claims before U.S. trial
1 year, 1 month ago

Alphabet, Match settle Google Play antitrust claims before U.S. trial

The Hindu  

Alphabet's Google has settled claims by dating app developer Match Group that it monopolised Android app distribution with its Play Store, leaving “Fortnite” maker Epic Games as the sole plaintiff in an antitrust trial against Google set to begin November 6. In a statement, Google said it was “pleased to reach a settlement agreement with Match Group.” Google also recently …

Google reaches tentative settlement with all 50 states over alleged app store monopoly
1 year, 3 months ago

Google reaches tentative settlement with all 50 states over alleged app store monopoly

Associated Press  

All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have reached an agreement in principle with Google to settle a lawsuit filed in 2021 over the tech giant’s alleged monopolistic control of app distribution for the software that runs most of the world’s cellphones. Google still faces several major antitrust lawsuits filed by the Department of Justice and other …

Google reaches tentative settlement in U.S. Play Store lawsuit
1 year, 3 months ago

Google reaches tentative settlement in U.S. Play Store lawsuit

The Hindu  

Alphabet's Google on Tuesday tentatively settled a class action suit alleging that its U.S. In the action brought by more than 30 U.S. states and representing 21 million consumers, the plaintiffs had claimed that consumers might have spent less on apps and had more options if it weren't for Google's alleged monopoly. Google is facing similar lawsuits which allege that …

Google tentatively settles with all 50 states over alleged app store monopoly
1 year, 3 months ago

Google tentatively settles with all 50 states over alleged app store monopoly

LA Times  

Google still faces several major antitrust lawsuits filed by the Department of Justice and other agencies across the U.S. pertaining to allegations of search-related and advertising market monopolistic behavior. Google still faces several major antitrust lawsuits filed by the Justice Department and other government agencies across the U.S. focused on alleged search-related and advertising market monopolistic behavior. Like the Epic …

Apple says need solid reason to take down betting apps: Report
1 year, 6 months ago

Apple says need solid reason to take down betting apps: Report

Live Mint  

Apple has said that it needs a ‘concrete reason or a legal requirement’ to comply with the Centre’s directive to take down betting apps from its App Store, reported Economic Times. Apple has not refused to comply with the February order by the ministry of electronics and information technology, but it has made it clear that it cannot ‘arbitrarily’ remove …

Play Store policy breaches to face action
1 year, 7 months ago

Play Store policy breaches to face action

Live Mint  

Google Inc. is set to initiate strict action against Indian apps that fail to comply with its billing policies on Play Store. The announcement follows the controversy over its Play Store policies which led to the Competition Commission of India directing the tech behemoth to allow third-party payment systems for apps on the Play Store. Android apps disseminated via the …

Appeals court upholds Apple’s control of iPhone app store
1 year, 7 months ago

Appeals court upholds Apple’s control of iPhone app store

Associated Press  

An appeals court on Monday upheld Apple’s exclusive control over the distribution of iPhone apps, rejecting the latest attempt to force one of the world’s most powerful companies to dismantle the digital walls protecting its most lucrative product. Apple ousted Epic from its app store after it tried to get around restrictions that Apple says protect the security and privacy …

Apple notches another win in App Store battle with Epic Games
1 year, 8 months ago

Apple notches another win in App Store battle with Epic Games

LA Times  

Epic Games, the maker of “Fortnite,” sued Apple in 2020 after the game was expelled from the App Store because Epic had created a workaround to avoid paying a 30% fee on customers’ in-app purchases. Monday’s ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower-court judge’s 2021 decision largely rejecting claims by Epic, the maker of “Fortnite,” …

Google in trouble again! $32 million fine for unfair practices in the app market
1 year, 8 months ago

Google in trouble again! $32 million fine for unfair practices in the app market

India TV News  

South Korea's antitrust regulator has reportedly slapped a fine of 42.1 billion won on Google and its regional arms for unfair business practices, with the aim to solidify its dominance in the Korean smartphone gaming app market. One Store is a major homegrown app market launched in January 2016 by South Korea's three mobile carriers, along with Naver Corp, reports …

Microsoft's app store on smartphones by next year, to rival with Google, Apple
1 year, 9 months ago

Microsoft's app store on smartphones by next year, to rival with Google, Apple

Hindustan Times  

Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch a new app store for games on iPhones and Android smartphones by next year subject its $75bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard getting cleared by regulators, a report from Financial Times says. However Spencer says that the move will indeed help increase competition on smartphones - “ the largest platform people play on” and where …

Google warns India antitrust ruling will hike costs for app developers
1 year, 11 months ago

Google warns India antitrust ruling will hike costs for app developers

Hindustan Times  

Alphabet Inc's Google said on Friday that India's new antitrust order to change how the company markets its Android platform will drive up costs for app developers, equipment makers, and consequently, consumers. Google The Competition Commission of India in October fined Google ₹1,337.76 cr for exploiting its dominant position in Android, and asked it to change restrictions imposed on smartphone …

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