Epic Games Accuses Google and Samsung of Anti-Competitive Practices

Epic Games has filed a lawsuit against Google and Samsung, claiming they conspired to protect the Google Play store from competition. The lawsuit alleges that Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature discourages users from downloading apps outside of the Play and Galaxy stores, violating U.S. antitrust law. Both companies deny the allegations.

Epic Games has levied accusations against tech giants Google and Samsung, claiming they engaged in anticompetitive practices to safeguard the Google Play store from rival app stores.

The lawsuit, lodged in a U.S. federal court in California, argues that Samsung's Auto Blocker feature dissuades users from downloading apps from sources other than the Play store or Samsung's Galaxy store, thus violating U.S. antitrust laws by reducing consumer choice and inhibiting competition.

Google has yet to comment on the matter while Samsung has pledged to contest what it calls 'baseless claims.' This legal standoff comes in the wake of a December 2023 U.S. verdict in favor of Epic, expected to compel Google to make app installation from alternative sources more accessible. Epic also plans to address its competition concerns with EU regulators.

(With inputs from agencies.)