AG suit alleges Google tried to “preemptively quash” Samsung's Galaxy app store by offering to pay Samsung, stopping OEMs from offering other stores, and more
The AG action challenged Google’s relationship with Samsung and other Android device makers at a time when Google argued that Android already permitted competing stores and sideloading. Later court documents described a [[a:969823|Premier Device Program that tied greater Search-revenue shares to limits on preinstalled third-party stores]], giving the earlier allegations a more specific contractual mechanism.
The dispute became part of Epic’s broader challenge to Android distribution: Epic later accused Samsung and Google of deterring rival-store use through Auto Blocker, before settling its case against Samsung. Google ultimately announced an Android app-store program and lower developer fees in resolving Epic litigation and addressing new rules.
First-order effects
Google and Samsung face antitrust scrutiny over alleged payments and OEM terms that, if substantiated, restricted the Galaxy store’s ability to operate as an independent distribution channel.
Other Android OEMs are drawn into the inquiry because the suit alleges Google stopped device makers from offering alternative app stores, not merely that it influenced Samsung.
Second-order effects
The allegations put Google’s OEM-revenue-sharing arrangements at issue alongside Play policies, raising pressure on handset partners to preserve visible paths for rival stores rather than rely solely on Google distribution.
Epic’s later claims over Samsung’s Auto Blocker show how the fight shifts from whether rival stores may be preinstalled to whether users can practically access and use them.
Third-order effects
Android app-store competition is moving from a formal openness standard toward scrutiny of the commercial terms and device-level controls that determine whether alternative stores can reach users.
Google’s later app-store program and fee cuts indicate that litigation and regional rules are pushing platform governance toward more explicit accommodation of third-party distribution.
The trend: Mobile platform oversight is increasingly focused on the combined effect of OEM incentives, device settings, and developer economics on rival app-store access.
Later this year, streaming apps will have to offer Google in-app purchases. If they don't, they're disallowed from even hinting that there are other ways to subscribe outside the Play Store. Just like on iOS. https://twitter.com/...
Google: we let other app stores on, unlike Apple. AGs: oh yeah, but what about Amazon?? (Amazon wouldn't say if it cooperated with AGs.) story w/ @mattmday https://www.bloomberg.com/...
Google engineered an open platform in the core of the Android OS, but later devised tying contracts, software anti-patterns, and a cartel relationship with OEMs to lock Android down and block real competition. It's tragic that the “Don't Be Evil” company let it come to this. http…
This isn't common knowledge? Samsung's Tizen and app store simply vanishing and suddenly they were best buds with Google. Did anyone think this came with no compensation? https://twitter.com/...
A coalition of 37 AGs—co-led by NYAG Letitia James—files an antitrust suit against Google following the recent stumble in the similar against Facebook. Lawsuit: https://ag.ny.gov/... https://twitter.com/...
BREAKING: Today, I sued Google for violating our antitrust laws again. It's using its monopoly power in Android to dominate app sales w/ Google Play Store. Then it forces buyers to pay using its processing service at up to a 30% fee! Most payment processors charge around 3%. 1/
@lockheimer Level of openness: Google will move away from open APK format to a proprietary Android app format locked to @GooglePlay to save you an average size of 15% versus a universal APK https://twitter.com/...
@ShiraOvide Not surprising that Google is why Facebook, Amazon & Samsung couldn't make their own app stores. Sort of explains why the Amazon and Facebook phone projects failed. I'm sure their were other reasons as well. I'm surprised the Facebook phone wasn't mentioned in the art…
The discourse around the App Store continues to deteriorate. Large portions of the press want to see the government go after the giants. There is less and less legitimate debate and discussion regarding the pros and cons of that oversight and impact on consumers.
Apple & Google own the rails of our digital era. We need strong protections to hold these tycoons accountable for squashing competition & manipulating user data for their own ends. I'll be working in Congress to create clear & enforceable rules for the app store marketplace.
In the latest monopoly lawsuit against Google, U.S. enforcers are relying on an odd victim to make their case: Amazon, one of the few companies on the planet bigger than Google. https://blawgo.com/Uubz4E8
Here's Google's initial response to the lawsuit in blogpost form. It's a classic in the “we are confused this is so strange why is anybody mad?” genre https://blog.google/...
Speaking of iPads, I don't think it's whataboutism to ask when the states plan to file a similar complaint against Apple, which pioneered the in-app-payment racket and outright bans consumer sideloading or using competing app stores. Apple is also asking for legal trouble. /end
Beyond the optics of shafting developers in mid-pandemic, Google electing to copy Apple's extortionate habits after years of devs and regulators decrying them shows some stunning arrogance. Few things shout “OLIGOPOLY FTW!” quite like adopting a competitor's abusive practices.
The strongest part zeroes in on Google announcing last September that it would require all in-app digital transactions, even for content you could consume elsewhere, to use its in-app payment system (in which Google takes a 30% cut) and not link to others. https://android-develop…
“It's strange we're being sued about our app store” says Google, similar to how Apple was “surprised” to hear developers are frustrated with the App Store. These people are so oblivious to the problems they've created that change can no longer come from within. https://twitter.co…
Exactly what we have been saying since some time ! 📱 Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google related to practices on its Google Play App Store. https://www.wsj.com/...
This state AG case against Google is a welcome move. Alongside Apple, Google writes the rules of our app economy—& together, they abuse their gatekeeper power by wrongly enriching themselves from the pocketbooks of innovators & consumers. https://twitter.com/...
We built an OS, available to all for free, and it even supports multiple app stores. It's strange that this suit attacks Android when it provides an unprecedented level of openness and choice. We think they got it wrong, and we'll defend ourselves. https://blog.google/...
I'm co-leading a bipartisan coalition of 37 AGs in a lawsuit against @Google for its unlawful and anticompetitive conduct around its mobile app store. This is our second lawsuit against Google in the last six months as we seek to protect consumers and competition.