US Supreme Court Upholds Google Play Store Antitrust Reforms, Allows Competition Enhancements

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined Google's request to pause a lower court injunction requiring major reforms to its Play Store, a mandate stemming from an antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, maker of Fortnite. The injunction, issued by Judge James Donato, compels Google to allow rival app stores within its Play Store, provide competitors access to its app catalog, and enable developers to include external payment links, bypassing Google's billing system. While some provisions take effect by the end of October 2025, others will be phased in through mid-2026. Google has expressed concerns about reputational harm, security risks, and competitive disadvantages but plans to continue its appeal, potentially before the Supreme Court this term. Epic Games and its CEO Tim Sweeney have welcomed the ruling, emphasizing increased competition, consumer choice, and lower prices. The dispute highlights ongoing scrutiny of Google's business practices amid broader antitrust investigations.