US Supreme Court Denies Google's Stay Request in Epic Games Antitrust Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Google's request to pause a lower court ruling requiring the company to open its Google Play Store to rival app stores and alternative payment systems, a decision that favors Epic Games in their ongoing antitrust battle. As of October 22, 2025, developers will be legally entitled to direct U.S. Google Play users to out-of-app payment methods without incurring fees or facing obstacles, similar to the current Apple App Store policy. Google has not clearly stated whether it will remove the mandatory use of Google Play Billing or allow external app downloads but has affirmed it will comply with legal obligations while continuing to appeal the case. The court’s injunction also mandates Google to stop exclusivity deals and to collaborate with Epic Games on integrating rival app stores into Google Play safely. This ruling represents a significant shift towards more equitable conditions for app developers and greater consumer choice on the Android platform. The legal changes will remain in effect for three years, with some provisions phased in by mid-2026, marking a major development in app store payment systems and competition regulation.