Epic Games, the company behind the popular video game Fortnite, has once again taken aim at Google, this time with a lawsuit targeting both Google and Samsung. The lawsuit alleges that Google and Samsung have conspired to block third-party app installations on Samsung devices, a move Epic argues violates antitrust laws.
At the heart of the dispute lies Samsung’s ‘Auto Blocker’ feature, which is enabled by default on Samsung devices. This feature prevents users from installing apps from sources outside of the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store. Epic claims that this feature, designed in collaboration with Google, effectively undermines the jury’s verdict in their previous antitrust lawsuit against Google, where Google was found guilty of using anti-competitive practices to protect its Android app store.
Epic argues that Samsung’s ‘Auto Blocker’ is a deliberate attempt by Google to maintain its dominance in the Android app distribution market. While Samsung maintains that the feature is intended to prevent malicious activity, Epic alleges that it is a thinly veiled attempt to stifle competition.
This lawsuit marks the latest chapter in Epic’s ongoing legal battles with tech giants. Last year, Epic successfully sued Google, winning a case that found Google’s practices regarding the Android app store violated antitrust laws. This latest lawsuit, if successful, could further erode the dominance of Google and Apple in the mobile app marketplace, potentially setting new precedents for app distribution models.
Both Samsung and Google have vehemently denied Epic’s allegations. Samsung insists that the ‘Auto Blocker’ feature is legitimate and not part of any conspiracy, while Google maintains that the lawsuit is without merit. Epic, however, remains steadfast in its belief that Google and Samsung have conspired to limit competition in the Android app market, and is seeking a jury trial to prove its case.
