Epic Games Exposes Samsung and Google’s Sinister Plot to Crush Competition
In a shocking revelation, Fortnite developer Epic Games has accused Samsung and Google of colluding to stifle competition and protect their lucrative app stores from rival developers. The alleged scheme involves Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature, which Epic claims is designed to prevent users from downloading apps from sources other than the Play store or Samsung’s own Galaxy store.
A Monopoly in the Making
Epic alleges that Samsung and Google are violating US antitrust law by reducing consumer choice and preventing competition, which would lead to cheaper apps and a more vibrant app ecosystem. The company is taking legal action in US federal court in California, seeking to put an end to this illegal monopoly.
A Global Fight for Competition
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has dubbed this lawsuit part of a "major global fight" to defend competition and its benefits for consumers. The company is also raising its concerns with regulators in the EU, which has long scrutinized Google’s business practices.
The Plot Thickens
Samsung introduced Auto Blocker as an opt-in feature in late 2023, but Epic claims the company made it the default setting in July and intentionally made it difficult to disable or bypass. This move is seen as a deliberate attempt to blunt the impact of a US verdict that Epic won against Google in December, which is expected to force the company to make apps easier to obtain from other sources.
The Battle for App Store Supremacy
This latest development is just the latest salvo in the ongoing battle between Epic Games and Google over app store dominance. Epic sued Google in 2020, claiming it stifled competition through its controls over app distribution and payments. The case is still ongoing, with a US district judge weighing what changes Google must make to its app business.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
For the latest news and analysis on this developing story, be sure to check out our previous article: Google Defends Play Store in Battle with Epic Games
