A federal judge in California has granted a temporary reprieve to Google, pausing an order that would have required the tech giant to significantly revamp its Android app store, Google Play. This decision comes in the wake of an antitrust lawsuit initiated by Epic Games, the developer behind the popular game Fortnite.
Judge James Donato made this ruling on Friday, allowing Google some breathing room as the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reviews the company’s request to pause the judge’s original order. This order, issued on October 7, aimed to enhance consumer choice by mandating that Google allow alternative app platforms and payment methods on its store by November 1. Google contended that the implementation of such changes could jeopardize the safety, security, and privacy of the Android ecosystem.
Google wins temporary stay on monopoly ruling
In a statement, Google expressed satisfaction with the District Court’s decision, viewing it as a safeguard against what they termed “dangerous remedies” proposed by Epic Games. Meanwhile, Epic has opted not to comment on the recent developments.
The backdrop to this legal tussle is a jury’s finding last year that Google had unlawfully monopolized the app download process on Android devices, as well as the in-app payment systems. The judge’s order reflected many of Epic’s recommendations, which included allowing users to download competing third-party app stores and utilizing alternative payment methods. Furthermore, it prohibited Google from financially incentivizing device manufacturers to preinstall its app store and from sharing revenue with other app distributors.
As the case unfolds, Google has already filed an appeal against the jury’s antitrust verdict, but it has yet to present its arguments to the appeals court. The tech giant maintains that it cannot be classified as a monopolist, citing competition with Apple’s App Store as a key factor, and argues that the injunction would compel Google to engage in business practices with its rivals.
