LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, has filed a new antitrust lawsuit against Google and Samsung, accusing them of colluding to stifle competition in the app store market. This marks Epic’s second legal action against Google, following a case it won against the tech giant in December.
The lawsuit centers around Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which prevents users from installing apps from third-party sources deemed unauthorized by Samsung and Google. Epic argues that this feature, which is enabled by default on new Samsung phones, creates significant barriers for users to access alternative app stores, including Epic’s own store.
Since launching its own mobile app store in August, Epic has been vocal about its efforts to promote competition in the app store ecosystem. The company’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, claims that Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature hinders the ability of users to freely choose where to download apps, ultimately limiting competition and innovation in the market.
While Epic acknowledges that the process to disable Auto Blocker may not be as complex as initially claimed, the company argues that the default setting poses a significant challenge for users looking to access alternative app stores. Sweeney emphasizes that the primary goal of the feature is to restrict competition rather than enhance security or protect users from potential threats.
In response to the lawsuit, Samsung has defended its Auto Blocker feature, stating that users have the option to disable it during the initial setup of their phones. However, Epic contends that the feature’s default setting creates unnecessary obstacles for users and app developers alike.
Epic’s legal action against Google and Samsung underscores the company’s commitment to challenging anti-competitive practices in the app store market. Sweeney asserts that Epic’s lawsuits are not just about securing special privileges for the company but about advocating for a more open and competitive app store environment for all developers.
As Epic continues to push for greater access and competition in the app store market, the outcomes of these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for the wider tech industry. With Epic seeking a jury trial for its latest lawsuit, the legal battle between the gaming company and tech giants like Google and Samsung shows no signs of slowing down.