Epic Games Wins Appeal Against Google, Opens Android Play Store to Rivals

Epic Games has won a significant legal victory against Google in a prolonged antitrust lawsuit, with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a 2023 ruling that found Google holds a monopoly over the Android app distribution and in-app billing markets. This ruling requires Google to allow rival app stores, including the Epic Games Store, to be accessible through the Google Play Store and to permit developers to use their own payment systems, effectively ending Google's exclusive control and commission practices. As a result, Epic plans to launch the Epic Games Store on Android via the Play Store, simplifying access to Fortnite and other titles without sideloading or preloading deals. Google has expressed strong opposition, arguing that the decision harms user safety, limits choice, and undermines Android innovation, and intends to continue appealing, potentially to the Supreme Court. The court's decision is seen as a major win for app developers and consumers, challenging Google's longstanding app store practices and promoting greater competition in the Android ecosystem. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the ruling as a