Ninth Circuit Upholds Epic Antitrust Win Against Google, Forcing Android Play Store Changes

A U.S. appellate court upheld a significant antitrust ruling against Google, confirming that the company illegally monopolized its Google Play Store by restricting third-party app stores and billing systems, as brought forth by Epic Games. The court's unanimous decision compels Google to open its Play Store to rival app stores and alternative payment methods, which Epic CEO Tim Sweeney hailed as a “total victory” for developers and consumers. Google strongly opposed the ruling, arguing that it would harm user safety and innovation, and has announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The ruling has broad implications for Android app distribution globally and could reduce Google's app store revenue by an estimated $1.5 billion annually. This legal outcome contrasts with Epic's less successful antitrust claims against Apple but signals a growing push for more competition in app marketplaces. Advocacy groups praise the decision as a win for user freedom and safety, as it enhances consumer choice on Android devices.