Google Play begins admitting rival app stores, EFF says
The Electronic Frontier Foundation says changes following Epic Games’ antitrust challenge also expand developers’ options for payments and distribution.
AI illustrationRival Android app stores can now be distributed through Google Play and access its catalog, according to a post from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) by Chao Liu and Betty Gedlu.
The authors say developers also have more freedom to point users toward alternative ways to pay for and obtain applications. Google has begun allowing the competing stores into Play, the post says, alongside new billing and distribution options.
The changes follow Epic Games’ legal challenge to Google. Epic, which makes Fortnite, alleged antitrust violations over restrictions affecting rival stores and developers, as well as Google’s rules for payments within applications and the associated fees.
EFF says the challenge led to a court order requiring substantial changes in Google’s practices. The disputed restrictions included distributing alternative stores through Play and conditions affecting developers with little practical choice but to use it.
The authors argue that the changes widen choices for users and developers and offer new opportunities for competition within Android.