Epic Games is suing Google (again) – and Samsung too, for good measure

Epic Games is suing Google and Samsung, alleging anti-competitive practices within the Android app ecosystem.

The lawsuit specifically targets a feature called "Auto Blocker," a setting Samsung introduced on its mobile devices in October 2023 designed to automatically…block users from installing apps outside of “authorized” sources.

• Auto Blocker is an opt-out feature on newer Samsung devices, meaning users need to take an action to turn it off. It makes it difficult to install apps from places other than Google and Samsung’s app stores, with the stated aim of shielding users from potential threats.
• However, while Auto Blocker can be turned off – according to Epic, it takes “an exceptionally onerous 21-step process,” making it that much more likely users will give up somewhere in the process of downloading Epic’s new app store (or other alternatives).

Google’s response… has been to emphasize the company’s commitment to user safety and security. Google VP of Engineering Dave Kleidermacher called the lawsuit a "dangerous move," arguing that opening up the Android ecosystem to alternative app stores could fragment the platform, increase security risks, and potentially expose users to "less safe" apps.

⚖️ Déjà vu (kind of): Epic Games previously accused Google of running an illegal app store monopoly in 2020, in a case where the jury eventually ended up siding with Epic. Though in that instance, Samsung was like an injured Air Bud – sitting happily on the sideline.