The Epic Games Store has seen an increase in downloads following Apple's changes to streamline the process for installing third-party app marketplaces on iOS.
Google has faced a setback in its legal battle with Epic Games as the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a ruling requiring Google to revise its app store policies. This decision mandates the removal of restrictions that prevent developers from creating competing marketplaces and billing systems on Android. Judge Margaret McKeown noted that antitrust remedies may require limitations on lawful business practices to address anticompetitive behavior. Google expressed concerns about the ruling's implications for user safety and innovation, emphasizing its commitment to protecting users and developers. Following the ruling, Alphabet's shares fell over 2% due to investor concerns about its business model.
Epic Games initiated a legal dispute against Google and Apple over a 30 percent sales commission. A ruling by Judge Margaret McKeown upheld a jury's verdict, confirming antitrust violations by Google and supporting an injunction to change app distribution practices. The ruling indicates that Google's anticompetitive behavior has solidified its market dominance. Google is considering appealing to the US Supreme Court but has secured a suspension of a 2024 order during the appeal process. The ruling requires Google to stop enforcing its Play billing system, allow third-party payment options, and make its Play Store catalog available through alternative app stores. Additionally, Google must permit third-party app stores within its Play environment. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced plans to launch the Epic Games Store on Google Play following the ruling.
Opera has filed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft in Brazil, claiming that Microsoft's agreements to make Edge the sole pre-installed browser on Windows devices hinder competition for alternative browsers. Opera alleges that Microsoft uses design strategies and "dark patterns" to discourage users from downloading rival browsers, limiting consumer choice and undermining competition. Opera's general counsel stated that Microsoft restricts browser competition on Windows and has a history of legal disputes with Microsoft dating back to 2007. Opera is urging Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) to take action against Microsoft to create a more equitable environment for browser developers.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support allegations against Microsoft regarding anticompetitive behavior related to its antivirus software, Microsoft Defender, which has been bundled with Windows since 2015. The CCI emphasized that users can install alternative antivirus solutions, maintaining a competitive market.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that Google reportedly profits more from the Windows operating system than Microsoft itself. He highlighted the advantages of Windows' open architecture and its compatibility with various AI tools, including Google’s Gemini, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and Anthropic’s Claude. Google’s Chrome browser accounts for 66% of desktop browser sessions, while Safari holds 9%. Google’s search engine captures approximately 85% of all search queries, compared to Microsoft’s Bing, which has a 3% market share. Cloudflare's report suggests Google's search share may be as high as 88%. Microsoft is under investigation for potential anticompetitive behavior, while Google has been attempting to undermine Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI. In 2021, Google paid Apple a billion dollars to remain the default search engine for Safari.
Google has been ordered to open up the Google Play app store to competition for three years, starting November 1st, 2024. This includes allowing rival third-party app stores within Google Play and giving them access to the full catalog of Google Play apps.
Fortnite is now available on iOS devices in EU countries and on Android devices globally. The Epic Games Store has been made accessible on iOS devices in the EU, with a free Fortnite skin released to celebrate the milestone. Android users can download the Epic Games Store from fortnite.com/download, while iOS users outside the EU, including the UK, will have to wait for further updates. Apple's app store policies have been a point of contention for Epic, leading to accusations of anticompetitive behavior. The UK is expected to see Fortnite on iOS in the second half of 2025, while the situation in the US remains uncertain.
Epic Games accused Google of anticompetitive behavior in the Android app market, leading to a legal battle that Epic Games ultimately won. Epic Games is now demanding Google to host alternative app stores within the Play Store for six years and allow third-party app stores access to the full catalog of Google Play Store applications. Google is challenging the ruling, and the outcome of their assessment of Epic's demands will determine the next steps in this legal dispute.
- South African agency to scrutinize Microsoft's cloud computing licensing practices, similar to ongoing investigation in the EU
- Microsoft recently decoupled Teams from Office 365 suite globally following complaints of anticompetitive behavior
- Cloud computing disputes involving Microsoft include accusations of market dominance and inflating costs in Europe
- Microsoft and Amazon's hyper-scale cloud services under investigation by UK's Competition and Markets Authority for stifling competition
- Google has urged UK's Competition and Markets Authority to address Microsoft's competitive practices in the cloud computing sector
