On Friday, a US judge allowed Google to delay a requirement to open Android-powered smartphones to rival app stores, postponing a November 1 deadline from an antitrust case initiated by *Fortnite* developer Epic Games. The decision by federal judge James Donato grants Google temporary relief as an appeals court considers whether to block the order permanently. Epic claims that Google’s Android Play Store operates as an illegal monopoly.
A Google spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the ruling, saying it “temporarily pauses the implementation of dangerous remedies demanded by Epic” and allows Google to maintain a secure user experience. The company is prepared to continue defending its case.
In response, an Epic Games spokesperson dismissed Google’s appeal as “meritless” and described the judge’s ruling as merely a procedural step, deferring to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rather than overturning the original order.
Android, which powers about 70% of the world’s smartphones, has faced multiple legal challenges to its dominance. In addition to this case, Google has been hit with other antitrust lawsuits, including one regarding its search engine’s monopoly and another in Virginia over its control of online advertising.
The ruling that Google must change certain business practices stemmed from a jury’s conclusion that its Play Store had engaged in anticompetitive behavior, such as forcing third-party apps to use its payment system. Epic Games, which generates a significant portion of app store revenue from video games, has long sought to bypass Google and Apple’s app store commissions, which can reach 30%.
Epic lost a similar case against Apple, where a US judge largely ruled in favor of the iPhone-maker. Both Google and Apple argue that their app store commissions are industry-standard and cover benefits such as security, broad reach, and malware protection.
