A federal judge in the United States has mandated that Alphabet’s Google (GOOG) must permit third-party companies to access its Android smartphone operating system. This ruling represents another legal setback for the tech company.
Judge James Donato, presiding in San Francisco’s US District Court, has ordered Google to implement several changes aimed at enhancing competition within its Play Store. These changes include permitting rival companies to make their Android apps accessible.
According to Donato's order, Google is prohibited from banning alternative in-app payment methods for a period of three years and must enable users to download competing third-party Android app platforms or stores.
This ruling arises from Google’s loss in an antitrust lawsuit brought by Fortnite’s creator, Epic Games. A California jury concluded that Google maintains an unlawful monopoly over its Android Play Store.
In December, the jury ruled in favor of Epic, which argued that Google suppressed competition by monopolizing the distribution of apps and payments on Android devices.
Google responded to the ruling by stating, "The changes would compromise consumers’ privacy and security, create challenges for developers in promoting their apps, and diminish competition on devices."
Additionally, the ruling demands that Google makes its app portfolio available to rival app stores.
Google defended its position by asserting that its Play Store operates within a competitive environment, pointing to its competition with Apple, which Epic Games also sued in 2020.
In the meantime, Google is contending with a separate antitrust lawsuit in Virginia related to its dominance in online advertising.
