Editor 
In a twist befitting the name of the company, Epic Games has yet again thrown itself into the legal arena, this time locking horns with not just Google, but Samsung as well. This battle arises amidst claims that these tech colossi have colluded to stifle competition in the Android app market.
Allegations of Collusion
Epic Games has set its sights on the “Auto Blocker” feature—a tool that Samsung implemented as a default setting in July 2024. Designed to ostensibly safeguard users, this feature simultaneously imposes a strenuous 21-step journey for anyone daring enough to download apps from sources outside the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store. Essentially, unless you’re a digital gymnast, you’re funneled straight back to the seemingly monopolistic behemoths for all your app needs.
Violation of Antitrust Laws
Epic argues that this default setting reinforces Google’s iron grip on the app market, violating a recent US court ruling that already deemed various app store practices by Google to be illegal. According to Epic, the Auto Blocker doesn’t just hurt independent developers by hobbling their distribution channels—it’s an assault on consumer choice itself.
A History of Legal Skirmishes
This isn’t Epic’s first legal rodeo. The company has previously challenged the likes of Apple and Google over what it sees as monopolistic and anti-competitive practices in the app store marketplace. A notable milestone was achieved in December 2023, when a jury sided with Epic in its antitrust dispute against Google. The court found that Google’s dominion over the Play Store and its imposed billing services negatively affected market competition.
Implications of a Global Scale
Tim Sweeney, the eloquent and unyielding CEO of Epic Games, has branded this lawsuit as a “major global fight” for the sanctity of consumer choice and market competition. And it doesn’t stop at American borders—Epic is poised to carry its crusade to regulatory bodies in Europe and Asia, amidst rising global vigilance against the dominant market powers of tech giants.
The Legal Battle Ahead
Epic Games has requested a jury trial to scrutinize these allegations. The company seeks not just a prohibition on the anti-competitive behaviors, but also a systemic change—specifically, the removal of the Auto Blocker as a default feature on Samsung devices.
FAQs
What exactly is the Auto Blocker feature?
- The Auto Blocker is a default setting on Samsung devices that restricts users from downloading apps from third-party sources, making it arduous to install any apps not available on Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.
Why is Epic Games suing Samsung and Google?
- Epic Games alleges that Samsung and Google have colluded to unlawfully limit competition in the Android app market, thereby harming developers as well as consumers.
What was the outcome of Epic’s previous legal battle with Google?
- In December 2023, a jury ruled in favor of Epic, finding that Google’s control over the Play Store and its billing services stifles market competition.
What are the broader implications of this lawsuit?
- This lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for app developers and consumers globally, as it questions the market power wielded by major tech companies in digital marketplaces.
What is Epic Games seeking through this lawsuit?
- Epic Games is calling for a jury trial and aims to stop the alleged anti-competitive practices. They also want Samsung to remove the Auto Blocker as a default setting on their devices.
Epic’s latest legal endeavor underscores a pivotal issue in the digital era: the balance of power in the app marketplace and the consequences for consumer choice and competition. As Tim Sweeney and his team navigate this monumental challenge, both the tech industry and consumers worldwide await with bated breath to see how this epic saga will unfold.
