Google Play changes its payment and app policies following the Epic lawsuit.
Google has been granted a three-week delay in enforcing its ruling to change Google Play policies after losing its second lawsuit against Epic.
Google is required to change its Google Play policy within 14 days.
After losing its second antitrust lawsuit against Epic Games, Google admitted it only has 14 days to begin major changes to the Android ecosystem unless granted a delay by the court. The demands include:
Stop forcing apps to use the Google Play Billing payment system.
Allows developers to introduce and link to other payment platforms.
You cannot be granted exclusive privileges in exchange for pre-installing Google Play or blocking competitor app stores.
However, on Friday afternoon, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay, giving Google at least three more weeks before the changes are required to take effect.
These changes forced Google to implement them sooner.
By order of Judge James Donato, measures from sections 4 to 7, 9, 10, and 13 of the judgment will take effect within 14 days (unless otherwise delayed), including:
Stop forcing developers to use Google's payment system.
This allows developers to direct users to alternative payment methods, including those outside the app.
It allows developers to set product prices independently.
Stop sharing profits with device manufacturers, carriers, or developers in exchange for exclusive Google Play installation.
Working with Epic to build a system to support competing app stores.
Some of these measures are similar to those Epic won in its lawsuit against Apple, particularly those aimed at eliminating "anti-steering" policies.
Google is concerned about security and risks within the Android ecosystem.
In its request for a delay, Google argued that these changes would significantly impact millions of users and over 500,000 developers, potentially posing security risks and threatening the entire Android ecosystem.
Specifically, Google warned that allowing external links to download apps could lead to scams or malware infections, and that removing the Play Billing payment system could reduce security and expected features.
Although the judge ordered Google to allow competing app stores to operate within Android, Google still has 7.5 months to build the necessary security procedures before having to expand the platform. Therefore, users cannot expect the Microsoft Xbox Store or Epic Games Store to appear in Google Play before 2026.