What's happened
Epic Games has filed a lawsuit against Samsung and Google, alleging that Samsung's Auto Blocker feature violates U.S. antitrust laws by restricting app downloads from third-party sources. The lawsuit claims this feature entrenches Google's dominance in the Android app distribution market, undermining competition and consumer choice.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Epic Games claims that Samsung's Auto Blocker feature is designed to protect Google's Play Store from competition, stating, "Auto Blocker cements the Google Play Store as the only viable way to get apps on Samsung devices." In contrast, Samsung maintains that the feature is a security measure, asserting that it "actively fosters market competition" and allows users to disable Auto Blocker at any time. Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, emphasized the need for a level playing field, arguing that the feature misleads users about the safety of competing app stores. The Independent notes that Epic's lawsuit is a response to Samsung's decision to enable Auto Blocker by default, which they argue was coordinated with Google to undermine previous legal victories against the tech giant. This ongoing legal battle highlights the tensions between app developers and major tech companies over control of app distribution.
How we got here
This lawsuit follows Epic's previous antitrust victory against Google in December 2023, where a jury found that Google maintained illegal monopolies in app distribution. Samsung's Auto Blocker was made the default setting on its devices in July 2024, complicating the installation of apps from outside its Galaxy Store and Google Play Store.
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What is the Epic Games lawsuit against Samsung about?
Epic Games has taken legal action against Samsung, claiming that the Auto Blocker feature on Galaxy smartphones restricts users from downloading apps outside of the Google Play Store. This lawsuit raises important questions about competition in the Android ecosystem and the implications for app distribution policies. Below are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into this significant legal battle.
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What is the Epic Games vs. Samsung lawsuit about?
The ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Samsung centers around the controversial Auto Blocker feature, which Epic claims violates antitrust laws. This lawsuit raises important questions about app distribution, competition, and user choice in the tech industry. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this case and its implications for app developers and consumers.
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