US EditionGoogle Makes First Play Store Changes After Losing Epic Games Antitrust Case
Google allows US developers to use external payment platforms and link to app sources outside the Play Store under a court order effective until Nov 1, 2027.
- Following the court order that runs to November 1, 2027, Google has begun implementing the first phase of changes ordered after losing the antitrust case brought by Epic Games and updated support pages confirming compliance in the US Play Store.
- Epic Games began the legal challenge in 2020 after trying to sell Fortnite content without using Google's payment system, arguing that Google suppressed alternative Android app stores.
- Developers operating in the Play Store can now direct users to external download sources and payment methods, and US developers may use external payment platforms to avoid Google's commission .
- Google says it hopes to reverse the ruling before further changes are required, noting it has not given up hope and previously failed against Apple in a similar case.
- This court-mandated change positions the Play Store differently within the Android ecosystem, as Google prepares for broader shifts after losing the appeal this past summer.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Google Play Store Finally Opens to Third-Party Billing in the US
A legal battle involving the Google Play Store has been going on for some time now. Now, we finally have a major victory for app developers and Android users in the United States. Following a multi-year legal saga with Epic Games (the creator of Fortnite), Google has been forced to open up its ecosystem, ending a practice that has defined the Play Store for years. Effective immediately for users in the United States, the strict requirement that …
Google Reforms Play Store Policies After Epic Win, Enables Alternative Billing
In a significant shift for the Android ecosystem, Google has announced sweeping changes to its Play Store policies, granting developers greater flexibility to steer users toward alternative payment methods and external deals. This move, stemming from a court ruling in the high-profile antitrust case brought by Epic Games, allows app makers to promote offers outside the Play Store, link directly to external downloads, and implement their own bill…
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