US Judge Allows Google to Delay Opening Android Phones to Rival App Shops
A US judge in San Francisco has granted Google a delay in opening Android-powered smartphones to rival app shops, suspending a November 1 deadline set in an antitrust case brought by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite.
Google expressed satisfaction with the decision made by federal judge James Donato, stating that it will temporarily pause the implementation of what they consider to be dangerous remedies demanded by Epic. The company spokesperson mentioned that the appeals court is currently reviewing the order, which Epic argues is necessary to break Google’s alleged monopoly on the Android Play store.
“These remedies pose a threat to Google Play’s ability to offer a safe and secure experience, and we are eager to continue presenting our case,” the spokesperson added.
In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for Epic Games dismissed Google’s appeal as “meritless,” pointing out that the judge opted to defer to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals instead of immediately striking down the order. The spokesperson clarified that the pause in implementation is seen as a procedural step in the legal process.
Android phones currently hold a significant 70 percent share of the global smartphone market, making Google’s control over the platform a subject of scrutiny in various legal challenges. In addition to the recent antitrust case involving the Android Play store, Google has faced allegations of operating an illegal monopoly with its search engine and is also confronting an antitrust lawsuit in Virginia related to its dominance in online advertising.
