Google Play changes payment and app policies after Epic lawsuit
Google gets a three-week delay in enforcing a ruling to change Google Play policies after losing a second lawsuit against Epic.
Google forced to change Google Play policy within 14 days
After losing its second antitrust case against Epic Games, Google admitted it has just 14 days to begin major changes to the Android ecosystem if it doesn't get a court-sanctioned stay. The demands include:
Stop forcing apps to use the Google Play Billing payment system.
Allows developers to refer and link to other payment platforms.
Don't give exclusive offers in exchange for pre-installing Google Play or blocking rival app stores.
However, on Friday afternoon, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the request for an emergency stay, giving Google at least three more weeks before the changes are required to take effect.
Changes Google is forced to make soon
Under the order of Judge James Donato, measures in sections 4 through 7, 9, 10 and 13 of the judgment 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 is concerned about security and risks to the Android ecosystem
In its request for a delay, Google argued that the changes would have a significant impact on millions of users and more than 500,000 developers, could 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 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.
