Google Play changes payment and app policies after Epic lawsuit
Google gets 3-week delay in enforcing Google Play policy change after losing second lawsuit against Epic.
Google forced to change Google Play policy within 14 days
After losing its second antitrust case against Epic Games, Google has admitted it has just 14 days to begin major changes to the Android ecosystem unless a court grants it a stay. The demands include:
Stop forcing apps to use the Google Play Billing system.
Allows developers to refer and link to other payment platforms.
Don't give exclusive deals in exchange for pre-installing Google Play or blocking rival app stores.
However, on Friday afternoon, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay request, giving Google at least three more weeks before the changes are required to take effect.
Changes Google Had to Make Soon
Under Judge James Donato's order, measures 4 through 7, 9, 10 and 13 of the ruling will take effect within 14 days (if there is no delay), including:
Stop forcing developers to use Google's billing system.
Allows developers to direct users to other forms of payment, even outside the app.
Allows developers to price products independently.
Stop sharing benefits with device manufacturers, carriers, or developers in exchange for exclusive Google Play installations.
Work with Epic to build systems that support competing app stores.
Some of these measures are similar to those Epic won in its lawsuit against Apple, specifically aimed at eliminating “anti-steering” policies.
Google Concerns About Security and Risks to the Android Ecosystem
In its request for a delay, Google argued that the changes would impact millions of users and more than 500,000 developers, pose security risks, and threaten the entire Android ecosystem.
Specifically, Google warns that allowing external links to download apps can expose users to scams or malware, and removing the Play Billing payment system can reduce security and expected features.
While the judge has ordered Google to allow competing app stores to operate on Android, Google still has 7.5 months to build the necessary security procedures before it has to open up the platform, so users can’t expect the Microsoft Xbox Store or Epic Games Store to appear on Google Play until 2026.
