US: Google has to make it easier to install alternative app stores on Android

A U.S. federal judge has ordered Google to simplify the process for installing third-party app stores on Android devices, following an out-of-court settlement with Epic Games. The ruling came after Judge James Donato acknowledged that Google's current system creates unnecessary barriers for competing app stores, calling them “unacceptable” during a recent court hearing. The dispute centers around Google’s control over the Android ecosystem through its Play Store, which has long been criticized for limiting competition. During the hearing, Epic argued that Google continues to complicate the installation of alternative app stores, demonstrating how many steps users must take to access such services. According to reports, the judge agreed with Epic that some of these steps constituted “anti-competitive hurdles” and instructed Google to remove them. One example highlighted during the hearing was the search function within the Play Store. When users searched for terms like “Store for Apps,” the results did not include third-party app stores but instead listed physical retail locations such as Walmart. Judge Donato emphasized that this outcome was unacceptable and demanded that Google correct the issue. He urged the company to ensure that all variations of search queries related to app stores would yield relevant results, even if they were only partially accurate. Epic’s lawyer, Yonatan Even, further demonstrated the challenges faced by developers trying to offer alternative app stores. For instance, searching directly for Aptoide, the first third-party app store available in the Play Store, did not return a standard list of apps but instead directed users to a dedicated page for third-party app stores. This, according to Even, not only complicates the user experience but also discourages established companies like Amazon from offering their own app stores due to limited visibility in regular search results. Beyond search functionality, Google has imposed additional steps for users wishing to install third-party app stores. Users must first click an “Open” button before being able to install the app, rather than having a direct “Install” option. Judge Donato specifically instructed Google to change this to an “Install” button instead, emphasizing the need for swift implementation. He set a deadline of one week from the date of the ruling for Google to make the necessary changes, adding that he wanted to be informed immediately if there were any obstacles encountered during the process. While these changes apply to the U.S. version of the Play Store, Google has indicated that similar modifications will not be implemented in other regions. In Europe, for example, Google plans to provide certain simplifications related to sideloading registered app stores rather than offering a direct listing of alternative app stores within the Play Store itself. The ruling marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to increase competition within the mobile app market. By reducing technical and procedural barriers, Google is being compelled to allow greater flexibility for users and developers seeking alternatives to its dominant platform. The impact of these changes could extend beyond just the availability of app stores, influencing broader discussions about digital markets and antitrust regulations.