Epic Games sues Google for blocking app distribution

Epic Games has filed a court case against Google and Samsung, accusing them of colluding to block competition in app distribution on Samsung devices through the implementation of Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature. According to Epic, Auto Blocker is part of a series of agreements between Google and Samsung that prevents competition and strengthens Google’s monopoly over app distribution. This feature, which became the default setting in July 2024, requires users to go through an arduous process to install apps from third-party sources, effectively cementing the Google Play Store as the primary way to download apps on Samsung devices.

Epic Games sues Google and Samsung for illegal collusion to block app distribution competition and undermine jury verdict in Epic v. Google

The lawsuit claims that Samsung’s introduction of Auto Blocker was coordinated with Google to preemptively undermine the U.S. District Court's remedy following a jury’s verdict in Epic’s earlier case against Google. In that case, the jury found that Google’s app store practices, including agreements with phone manufacturers like Samsung, were illegal under antitrust laws. Epic alleges that this latest development further damages developers, consumers, and ongoing efforts to regulate and reform the app marketplace globally.

What is Auto Blocker and why is it illegal? 

Auto Blocker, introduced by Samsung as an opt-in feature in October 2023, disables the ability to install apps from any sources outside of the Google Play Store and the Samsung Galaxy Store. The reversal in July 2024 made this feature the default, imposing a 21-step process for users to download apps from other sources, which Epic contends mirrors Google’s restrictive “Unknown Sources” process. This marks the first instance where Samsung has imposed such friction on app downloads outside of its own ecosystem or Google’s.

The lawsuit highlights Google’s history of paying OEMs like Samsung to prevent competition, referencing the Epic v. Google and United States v. Google trials. Epic alleges that Samsung, despite its potential to challenge the Google Play Store with the Galaxy Store, has been incentivized not to compete meaningfully. Evidence presented during the Epic v. Google trial revealed that Google executives proposed deals to Samsung, including the 2020 Revenue Sharing Agreement, which limited Samsung’s efforts to offer better terms to developers or compete for exclusive content.

Epic is asking the court to prohibit Samsung’s and Google’s anti-competitive behavior, eliminate the Auto Blocker default setting, and ensure competition in the app distribution market. The lawsuit seeks to uphold the jury’s unanimous decision that Google’s agreements with OEMs to block competition are illegal, and that device manufacturers colluding with Google must also be held accountable.