Epic Games files suit against Google, Samsung for anti-competitive behaviour

 Epic Games, the creator of popular games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, has announced legal action against Google and Samsung, accusing the two tech giants of illegally colluding to block competition in app distribution. The lawsuit centers around Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature, which Epic claims was designed in coordination with Google to stifle app store competition on Samsung devices.

Epic Games also operates the Epic Games Store, an alternative app marketplace for games and software.

According to the lawsuit, the Auto Blocker feature—introduced by Samsung in October 2023 as an opt-in setting—was initially optional, allowing users to disable the ability to install apps from third-party sources. However, in July 2024, Samsung made Auto Blocker a default-on setting, significantly hindering users from downloading apps outside the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store. Epic argues that this move further entrenches Google’s monopoly in app distribution on Android devices, as users now face a 21-step process to download apps from alternative sources.

Epic's Allegations Against Google and Samsung

Epic Games’ lawsuit contends that the Auto Blocker feature was part of a coordinated effort between Google and Samsung to undermine the US District Court's remedy following the Epic v. Google jury verdict. The jury had ruled that Google’s app store practices were illegal, including its anti-competitive agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Samsung.

“Auto Blocker cements the Google Play Store as the only viable way to get apps on Samsung devices, blocking every other store from competing on a level playing field,” Epic stated in its filing. “This coordination between Google and Samsung not only harms developers and consumers but also undermines the jury’s verdict and ongoing regulatory and legislative progress around the world.”

What is Auto Blocker and Why Is It Controversial?

Auto Blocker is a feature that now prevents users from easily installing apps from third-party app stores or websites. The process to bypass Auto Blocker is extensive, requiring users to navigate a complex series of steps similar to Google’s "Unknown Sources" process, which discourages app downloads from outside the Google Play Store.

Epic’s litigation emphasizes that this restriction directly contradicts the jury’s decision in the Epic v. Google case, which found that Google had entered into anti-competitive agreements with OEMs to block competition in the app store market. Epic alleges that Samsung’s recent changes to Auto Blocker are part of an ongoing effort by Google to prevent meaningful competition from alternative app stores like Samsung’s own Galaxy Store.
Google's Alleged History of Inducing Samsung into Anti-Competitive Deals

Epic’s lawsuit draws attention to Google’s historical dealings with Samsung, accusing Google of paying OEMs billions to limit competition. According to evidence presented in the Epic v. Google trial, Google sought to avoid competing with Samsung’s Galaxy Store, even proposing a deal known as "Project Banyan" to phase out the Galaxy Store entirely.

In 2020, Google signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Samsung. Since then, Samsung has allegedly refrained from entering into exclusive deals with major game developers or competing with the Google Play Store’s commission rate, which stands at 30%. Epic asserts that these actions have effectively neutered the Galaxy Store as a potential competitor to Google’s app distribution dominance.

Epic’s Legal Demands

Epic Games is asking the court to prohibit Samsung and Google from engaging in anti-competitive practices and to mandate that Samsung disable the Auto Blocker by default. Epic is also calling for greater competition in the app distribution market, asserting that the jury’s decision in Epic v. Google must be upheld in full.

“The jury’s decision was unanimous and clear: Google’s agreements with OEMs to block competition are illegal,” Epic stated. “This applies not only to Google but to the device manufacturers that collude with them.”

Epic Games remains committed to ensuring that its legal battle with Google and Samsung protects developers and consumers from unfair market practices.