A U.S. judge has ordered Alphabet’s Google to overhaul its mobile app business, giving Android users more freedom to download apps and make in-app purchases.
The decision comes after a jury verdict last year in favor of Epic Games, the maker of “Fortnite.”
The injunction requires Google to:
- Allow Android apps to be downloaded from rival sources.
- Prohibit the use of in-app payment methods for three years.
- Stop pre-installing its app store on devices and sharing revenue with other app distributors.
Google has announced it will appeal the decision and has asked for a pause on the implementation of the injunction.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney, however, has expressed excitement about the ruling and said that his Epic Games Store and others will be available on Google Play in 2025.
The court’s decision is a significant blow to Google’s dominance in the mobile app market.
It could lead to increased competition and innovation, but it also raises concerns about potential unintended consequences for consumers, developers, and device makers.
