Epic Games scores victory in antitrust lawsuit against Google Play Store in court decision
In a landmark decision, a three-judge panel at the Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals has affirmed an antitrust verdict against Google, ordering the tech giant to make significant changes to its Play Store business practices.
Tim Sweeney, the boss of Epic Games, celebrated the decision on social media, calling it a total victory in the Epic v Google appeal. The changes, aimed at increasing competition and ending Google's exclusive control over app distribution on Android devices, include:
- Opening up Google's app library: Google must make its entire catalog of over 2 million Android apps accessible to competing app stores, allowing third-party app stores to distribute the same apps to consumers.
- Removing barriers to competition: Google will now allow users to download and install rival app stores within the Android ecosystem, effectively tearing down digital barriers that currently restrict alternative app stores from operating freely on Android devices.
- Facilitating the distribution of alternative app stores: Google will not just make apps available but will actively help competitors reach users, supporting and facilitating the distribution of alternative app store options.
These changes are expected to significantly harm user safety, limit choice, and undermine innovation in the Android ecosystem, according to Google. The company argues that such requirements could raise privacy and security risks for consumers by exposing them to potentially malicious app stores pretending to be legitimate ones.
The initial injunction ordering these changes was issued in October 2024 but was delayed pending appeal. With the appellate court upholding the verdict in August 2025, the order's enforcement is likely to proceed unless Google secures a further delay.
This ruling marks a major shift in how the Google Play Store operates, undermining its closed ecosystem and allowing for a more open Android app market. It follows a similar legal defeat faced by Apple in related lawsuits challenging app store monopolistic practices.
Google has filed for an emergency administrative stay as it continues its appeals. Should that fail, Google will have to open up Android, paving the way for third parties to set up shop on the platform.
It's worth noting that Google's system is markedly different from Apple's, as noted by the district court in the Apple case. While Apple's system is a "walled garden," Google's Android operates under an "open distribution" philosophy, offering more choices but limiting Google's ability to protect users from security threats.
The commercial realities between the two systems are different, and it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the Android ecosystem and users' experiences. As Google continues its appeals, the tech industry watches with bated breath, anticipating the next moves in this significant antitrust battle.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/google-loses-appeal-us-court-order-open-android-app-market-2025-08-18 [2] https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-loses-appeal-in-antitrust-case-over-android-app-store-11660547414 [3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-18/google-loses-appeal-in-us-court-ruling-on-android-app-store [4] https://www.cnet.com/news/google-loses-appeal-in-us-court-ruling-on-android-app-store/ [5] https://www.theverge.com/2025/08/18/22404556/google-loses-us-court-ruling-android-app-store-antitrust-epic-games
- The ruling against Google's Play Store business practices could potentially open the door for increased mobile AI integration in the finance industry, as third-party app stores will be able to distribute apps more freely.
- The changes forced upon Google by the Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals could herald a new era in the business world, where technology companies might face increased competition and reduced monopolistic practices in the mobile sector.
- The advancements in technology driven by this legal decision could lead to a more secure and robust Android ecosystem, as competition among app stores could prompt greater focus on user security and privacy concerns.
