A San Francisco judge has ordered Google to make it easier for Android users to install rival app stores, extending the long-running legal battle between Google and Epic Games.
Key facts
- Judge James Donato ordered Google to make installing rival app stores on Android easier.
- The ruling came during a hearing in a San Francisco courtroom.
- Epic Games and Google returned to court roughly a month after appearing to pause their dispute.
- A jury unanimously ruled against Google nearly three years ago.
- The judge stated during proceedings that the current situation is 'not acceptable.'
Google has been ordered to make it easier to install rival app stores on Android devices, according to The Verge. Judge James Donato issued the directive during a hearing in a San Francisco courtroom, reviving the closely watched legal fight over how apps are distributed on Android.
The order comes about a month after Epic Games and Google appeared to have stepped back from their dispute over the future of Android app distribution, The Verge reported. Instead, the two companies were back before the court, with the judge pressing for changes to how competing app stores can reach users.
The Verge reported that Judge Donato made clear his dissatisfaction with the status quo, saying during the proceedings that the current arrangement ‘is not acceptable.’ The comment underscored the court’s push for Google to open up its platform to competitors.
The dispute traces back nearly three years, when a jury unanimously decided against Google, according to The Verge. That verdict set the stage for ongoing legal wrangling over remedies and how Google must change its practices around the Android app ecosystem.
The latest order focuses specifically on lowering the barriers users face when trying to install app stores that compete with Google’s own. The Verge’s report centers on the judge’s instruction rather than detailing the full technical requirements Google must meet.
Why it matters
How easily users can install rival app stores affects competition, pricing and choice for millions of Android users worldwide. The ruling signals continued pressure on Google to loosen control over its app ecosystem, with potential ripple effects across the mobile industry.
Frequently asked questions
What did the judge order Google to do?
According to The Verge, Judge James Donato ordered Google to make it easier to install rival app stores on Android.
Who is involved in this legal dispute?
The case involves Epic Games and Google, who were back in a San Francisco courtroom, as reported by The Verge.
When did the original ruling against Google occur?
The Verge reports that a jury unanimously decided against Google nearly three years ago.