Megan Ellis
Summary
- A U.S. District Court has mandated that Google must simplify the process for users to install competing Android app stores via the Play Store.
- Current installation includes numerous steps, requiring users to click a “view” option before an “install” button is available.
- The judge characterized these steps as intentionally creating “anticompetitive friction” to deter typical users.
During a recent hearing regarding the ongoing legal dispute between Epic Games and Google, Judge Donato expressed his disapproval of the numerous steps Google has implemented for installing alternative app stores, stating, “That is not acceptable.”
Epic Games presented evidence showing that users face unnecessary prompts and a series of confirmation screens, including a mandatory click on a “view” option before being able to select “install.”
The judge criticized these barriers as a form of deliberate “anticompetitive friction” meant to intimidate average users. He ordered Google to eliminate these obstacles, ensuring that installing an alternative app store is as easy as installing any other application on Android, with a deadline of one week for these changes.
Although Android has allowed users to install third-party app stores and sideload applications for many years, Google has frequently complicated the process with security alerts, hidden settings, and multiple confirmation dialogs, making it feel risky for less tech-savvy users.
This ruling follows the outcomes of a prior antitrust case where a jury concluded that Google was unlawfully monopolizing Android app distribution and in-app purchase systems. While Google asserts that these friction points are essential for ensuring user security, the court has clarified that such safety concerns cannot serve as an excuse to maintain market control.
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