Epic is litigate Samsung , saying its sound ’ UI is build to curb competition , namely the Epic Games Store . Samsung ’s latest OneUI update , 6.1.1 , was build on Android 14 and blocked app sideloading by default option on the latest phones . Now , Epic is suingboth Google and Samsung for “ stymy every other store from competing on a grade playacting line of business . ”
In itslawsuit , Epic argues that Samsung and Google have been in cahoots to keep the Play Store prevalent and put its own Galaxy Store “ on the back burner . ” The publisher claimed , “ Google called on its longtime collaborator Samsung to defang these competitive threats and regenerate the moat protecting the Play Store from rival ” when it limited sideloading freestanding app memory by default in OneUI .
The case will hinge on whether there was really connivance between Google and Samsung . Epic point to how Auto Blocker was not nonremittal on earpiece before Google Play Store was label a monopoly . The “ Auto Blocker ” mise en scene on Samsung gadget produce a wall between drug user and third - party app stores . While the feature article was optional on older gimmick ( it’soff by defaultif you ’re update from a previous variant of OneUI to 6.1.1 ) , it came pre - enabled onSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6andZ Fold 6phones the Korean tech giant released originally this year . We still have to see if Samsung will enable Auto Blocker by default on its latestSamsung Galaxy S24 FE twist .
© Photo: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images
CEO Tim Sweeney told journalists ( viaThe Verge ) that he hopes more grounds of Google and Samsung ’s alleged collusion emerge during the discovery process .
Epic alleges this result in an “ onerous 21 - step ” physical process for download an app outside the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store . However , part of that outgrowth described by Epic imply miscarry to launch the Epic Games Store without first go through the comparatively simple process of handicap Auto Blocker through preferences and Security and Privacy . However , that does n’t take away from the nature of these reckon dark design , which disincentivize users to load outside app stores . After all , Epicmight know a thing or two about dark figure .
In an e-mail statement , a Samsung interpreter said the troupe plan to fight Epic ’s lawsuit .
“ The features integrate into our devices are project in accordance with Samsung ’s core precept of security , privacy , and substance abuser control , and we stay fully attached to safeguarding users ’ personal data , ” the interpreter said . “ exploiter have the selection to handicap Auto Blocker at any clip . ”
Gizmodo reach Google for comment , but we did not like a shot hear back .
Epic Games Store is technicallyback on Androidand iOS — though the latter is only usable in the EU . However , even when Epic was gear up for its expected relaunch of Fortnite on phones , the newspaper publisher and Sweeney declared they hadremoved their services from Samsung’sdevices . At the time , Epic alleged Samsung play with Google “ to restrain contest in the market for Android app distribution , ” echoing its new cause .
Early in 2023 , data point sleuths uncovered waysAndroid 14 could confine usersfrom sideloading older versions of apps . The late rendering of OneUI one - upped Google by hindering users from downloading disjoined app stores by default . you could undo the auto blocker feature through system preferences , but Epic argues that this limitation is signify to frustrate exploiter into regress to the Play Store . Epic point out that Samsung devices are the largest mart share for Android phones in the U.S.
larger-than-life constantly reference this monopoly in its 39 - page lawsuit . The publishing house sound out Google do it that the more than 15 steps to install Fortnite on Android were purposefully “ abyssal . ” This was due to an “ unnamed Sources ” set up menstruation requiring several workarounds . Epic says the Auto Blocker feature is like unsung author since it requires users to go through several extra step just to deploy the apps they need to , under the pretext of security .
As a review , Epic started this disruption back in 2020after it created a way to make in - app purchases in the Epic Games Store possible , circumventing Apple ’s App Store and Google ’s Play stock policy . Both tech giants kicked Epic off their platforms , and the publisher sued Google and Apple individually . The court finally sided with Apple , saying that it was n’t a monopoly but want the tech giant to spread up its ecosystem and let in - app gross revenue outside the App Store . Compare that to December of last yr , when a panel decidedGooglehad a monopoly on Android app stores .
Epic Games StoreGoogleSamsung
Daily Newsletter
Get the best technical school , skill , and acculturation news in your inbox day by day .
News from the future , redeem to your present .
Please select your desired newssheet and pass on your electronic mail to kick upstairs your inbox .
You May Also Like
