Judge Orders Google to Reduce Barriers for Rival Android Stores
At a recent San Francisco hearing, U.S. District Judge James Donato ordered Google to simplify how Android users find and install competing app stores through Google Play. The decision extends a long-running legal dispute with Epic Games over competition in Android app distribution.
The case follows a unanimous jury verdict nearly three years ago finding that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android apps. Almost two years ago, Donato issued an injunction intended to open the market by requiring Google to host rival app stores in Google Play and provide those stores access to its app catalog for several years.
During the latest hearing, Epic demonstrated several steps it said discouraged users from installing alternative stores. One demonstration showed that searches for phrases such as “store for apps” returned retailers rather than third-party app marketplaces. Donato called the result unacceptable and directed Google to support a broader range of relevant search terms.
The judge also objected to a process requiring users to select “view” before reaching an “install” option. He ordered Google to replace that step with a direct installation button, bringing the process closer to how conventional apps are presented.
Epic also challenged a separate screen that appears when users search for an app store or for Aptoide, an alternative marketplace already available through Google Play. Instead of displaying ordinary search results, Google directs users to a dedicated page with additional warnings. Epic argued that this treatment could disadvantage both newer services and established companies considering entry into the market.
Google said app stores warrant special handling because they request advanced permissions. Donato found that warnings on the dedicated store page were sufficient and ordered the extra prompt removed. He instructed Google to complete the changes within one week.