Epic Games has taken an important step in the ongoing fight for fair competition in the digital app marketplace.
On Monday (September 30), the popular game developer filed a lawsuit against tech giants Google and Samsung in a federal court in San Francisco.
Epic Games Alleges Google, Samsung Collaborated to Stifle App Competition
The lawsuit claims that the two companies worked together to limit competition from third-party app distributors on Samsung devices. This legal action comes just weeks after Epic made its widely successful games, including Fortnite, available on third-party app stores.
Samsung's "Auto Blocker" feature restricts app installations to those from authorized sources, like the Samsung Galaxy Store and Google Play Store. According to ABC News, Samsung states that this feature is set to block unauthorized apps by default and is designed to protect users from harmful software.
However, Epic Games argues that this feature makes it easier for Google to stay the top dog in the Android app distribution market, making it hard for developers to compete fairly.
Epic's complaint suggests that the Auto Blocker creates significant barriers for users who wish to install apps from other sources. According to Epic, the process for downloading a third-party app now involves navigating through an "exceptionally onerous" 21-step procedure.
Epic emphasizes that these obstacles make it harder for competition to grow, which they believe benefits both developers and consumers.
In response to the lawsuit, Samsung maintained that it promotes market competition and operates with integrity. According to CNET, a spokesperson from Samsung stated, "Contrary to Epic Game's assertions, Samsung actively fosters market competition, enhances consumer choice, and conducts its operations fairly.
The lawsuit is Epic's second attempt to legally challenge Google about competition in the app market. In December, a jury ruled in Epic's favor, deciding that Google had created unfair barriers that hurt smartphone users and app developers. Epic now says that the Auto Blocker feature was designed together with Google to weaken this earlier victory.
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Epic Games Pushes for Fair Competition
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney shared concerns about the effect of such restrictions on competition. Sweeney emphasized the need for all retailers and applications to compete on equal terms for real competition to succeed.
This lawsuit against Google and Samsung comes during growing scrutiny of big tech companies by regulators around the world. Other companies, including Apple, have faced similar accusations about how they handle app distribution.
Epic Games has been a leader in challenging these tech giants, arguing that gamers should be free to download applications from various app stores without facing tough restrictions.
In August, Epic expanded its reach by launching its Epic Games Store on iPhones in the European Union and on Android devices globally. However, the barriers from Samsung's Auto Blocker are believed to make it hard for users to access these alternative options.
Both Google and Samsung argue that their app stores provide better security measures to protect users from harmful software and other threats. However, the fees connected to app sales, usually around 30%, are also seen as a way to maintain control over the app marketplace.
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