Fortnite maker accuses Samsung, Google of colluding to block app store competitors
Fortnite maker Epic Games filed a lawsuit Monday accusing Google and Samsung, the world’s largest Android maker, of conspiring to block third-party competitors of the Google Play Store.
The suit, filed in federal court in California, alleges Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature illegally prevents users from downloading apps from places other than Google Play Store or Samsung’s Galaxy Store on Android devices, violating U.S. antitrust law.
The Auto Blocker, a default feature on Samsung devices, is marketed by the company to “protect” Samsung devices by preventing the installation of apps from “unauthorized sources and blocking malicious activity.” Users can turn the setting off during the initial setup of their devices.
The Google Play Store is used by hundreds of millions of people to download apps for smartphones that use Google’s Android software. According to the suit, only about 1 percent of Android app downloads come from the Galaxy Store, Samsung’s own app store.
“Auto Block cements the Google Play Store as the only viable way to get apps on Samsung devices, blocking every other store from competing on a level playing field,” Epic wrote in a press release.
Calling it a “coordinated illegal anticompetitive dealing," the Fortnite creator alleged the feature harms developers and consumers, while undermining a federal jury’s decision against Google in another antitrust suit brought by Epic last year.
In that case, the jury reached a unanimous verdict last December finding that the payment system and practices of Google’s Play Store were a violation of antitrust law.
It capped off a three-year legal battle between Epic and Google after the game developing company accused Google of shielding its Play Store from competition to continue making billions in profits. Google collects a commission ranging from 15 percent to 30 percent on digital purchases within apps.
Epic claimed that case also touched upon Google’s “long history of inducing Samsung into anticompetitive dealings.”
The gaming development company is asking the court to require Samsung to eliminate the Auto Blocker by default and to issue an injunction prohibiting any anticompetitive and unfair conduct by Samsung and Google.
A spokesperson for Samsung told The Hill the company plans to “vigorously contest Epic Game’s baseless claims.”
“Contrary to Epic Game's assertions, Samsung actively fosters market competition, enhances consumer choice, and conducts its operations fairly,” the spokesperson wrote.
“The features integrated into our devices are designed in accordance with Samsung’s core principles of security, privacy, and user control, and we remain fully committed to safeguarding users' personal data. Users have the choice to disable Auto Blocker at any time.”
In another antitrust suit brought against Apple by Epic in 2021, a judge sided with Apple, ruling the tech giant is not an illegal monopoly, but rather has engaged in illegal anticompetitive conduct. Like Google, Apple collects a commission on payments made within apps.
The Hill reached out to Google for further comment.
Date: | |
Tag: |
Topics
-
Tech - The Wall Street Journal
Epic Games Sues Google, Samsung Over Alleged App-Store Scheme
The “Fortnite” maker claims the tech giants colluded to place onerous restrictions on app stores created after Google lost an antitrust case.3 hours ago - Google -
World - The Guardian
Epic Games accuses Samsung and Google of scheme to block rivals
Fortnite maker’s lawsuit says Samsung Auto Blocker deters users from app downloads outside Google’s Play store. Fortnite video game maker Epic Games on Monday accused Alphabet ’s Google and ...6 hours ago - Google -
Tech - ABC News
Epic Games sues Google and Samsung over phone settings, accusing them of violating antitrust laws
Video game maker Epic Games sued Google and Samsung on Monday, accusing the tech companies of coordinating to block third-party competition in application distribution on Samsung devices3 hours ago - Google -
Politics - The Hill
The Kids Online Safety Act was a good start, but app stores need accountability too
Congress has introduced the "App Store Accountability Act" to make app stores and devices safe for kids by requiring age verification, parental consent, transparency requirements, and industry ...Yesterday -
Tech - Wired
Epic Games Is Suing Samsung Now
After suing both Apple and Google over app store payment policies, Fortnite developer Epic Games now has its sights on Samsung.10 hours ago -
Top stories - CBS News
Democrats sue to block Georgia election rule requiring hand count of ballots
The state and national Democratic Party said the rule might introduce "uncertainty" in vote tallying, and "wreak havoc on the general election."2 hours ago -
Business - The New York Times
Apparel Resale Growth Drives Increased Vintage and Thrift Store Presence
Last year, apparel resale in the United States grew seven times the rate of the broader retail industry. Independent resellers and corporate giants are getting creative to meet the demand.12 hours ago -
Business - MarketWatch
Chrysler, Jeep maker issues big profit warning as it plans to slash U.S. inventory
Chrysler’s parent company Stellantis on Monday said it’s accelerating an inventory reduction program as it issued a massive downgrade to its financial guidance.10 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Evening Report — Hurricane Helene collides with campaign politics
{beacon} Evening Report © Gerald Herbert, Associated Press Hurricane Helene collides with campaign politics More than 100 people are dead and 600 missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, ...19 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Trump seeks to put Harris on back foot with Hurricane Helene response
Former President Trump is seeking to put Vice President Harris on the back foot as both candidates respond to the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene. Trump visited Georgia on Monday, where ...21 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Rick Scott calls for Senate to reconvene to consider Helene disaster aid
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Monday called for the Senate to “immediately reconvene” once damage assessments are completed so lawmakers can consider an emergency aid package in response to the ...1 hour ago -
Politics - The Hill
Longshoremen strike deadline looms large over economy and election
Tens of thousands of longshoremen at 14 ports along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico are poised to walk off the job early Tuesday morning if their union and employers cannot reach a new labor ...1 hour ago -
Politics - The Hill
Comer subpoenas Mayorkas for information on Walz, China
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) subpoenaed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday for information relating to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the ...1 hour ago - China