US Court Forces Google to Open Play Store to Rivals in Epic Antitrust Case

A federal appeals court has upheld a jury verdict declaring Google's Play Store practices as illegal monopolies, marking a pivotal moment for the Android ecosystem. The ruling mandates Google to permit rival app stores and alternative payment systems on its platform for three years, directly challenging its control over app distribution and in-app purchases.

Epic Games, the plaintiff behind Fortnite and the Epic Games Store, secured this landmark decision after years of litigation. The court's injunction could dismantle Google's dominance, fostering competition and offering developers more flexibility in monetization and distribution.

Google plans to appeal to the Supreme Court but must comply with the injunction in the interim. The decision underscores the growing scrutiny of tech giants' walled gardens, contrasting sharply with Apple's closed iOS model.