In a significant legal maneuver, Google has approached a federal judge in California with a request to temporarily suspend an order that requires the tech behemoth to foster increased competition within its Play app store. This injunction, which is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2024, has been characterized by Google as potentially detrimental, posing risks to the safety, security, and privacy of the Android ecosystem.
Legal Background and Implications
Google’s appeal arises from a ruling by US District Judge James Donato, who found that the company had maintained an illegal monopoly over app downloads and in-app payments on Android devices. This ruling followed a successful legal challenge brought forth by Epic Games, which argued that Google’s practices stifled competition.
The injunction, issued on October 7, mandates that Google allow the installation of competing third-party Android app platforms and prohibits the company from restricting alternative in-app payment methods. Additionally, it bars Google from financially incentivizing device manufacturers to exclusively preinstall its app store and from sharing revenue from the Play store with other app distributors.
Should Judge Donato decline Google’s request to suspend the injunction, the company is prepared to escalate the matter to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking a stay during the appeal process. Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has already filed a notice of appeal with the 9th Circuit, which is anticipated to review and rule on the company’s challenge to the order.
This latest development unfolds against the backdrop of broader regulatory scrutiny, as the US government has signaled intentions to implement court-ordered remedies that could compel Alphabet to divest critical components of its business, including the Chrome browser and the Android operating system.
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