Google and Epic Games have spent years in court over allegations of antitrust practices against the tech giant. Now, it looks like there may be an end in sight.
The two companies have announced a new proposal that would open up Android to third-party app stores, potentially ending their ongoing dispute. This agreement is pending court approval.
Sameer Samat, the President of the Android Ecosystem at Google, shared the news in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). He said, “Exciting news! Together with Epic Games, we have filed a proposed set of changes to Android and Google Play that focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition—all while keeping users safe. If approved, this would resolve our litigations.”
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also expressed his support for the proposal, calling it “awesome” in his own post. He highlighted that, “This is a comprehensive solution, which stands in contrast to Apple’s model of blocking all competing stores and leaving payments as the only vector for competition.”
This development could mark a significant shift in how app distribution and competition operate on the Android platform, benefiting both developers and users alike. We will stay tuned for updates once the court makes its decision.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146692/google-android-app-store-third-party-proposal
