Google is moving to delay the implementation of a significant court order that mandates the tech giant to open its Play Store to increased competition. In a recent filing, Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., urged U.S. District Judge James Donato to temporarily pause his sweeping injunction, which is set to take effect on November 1, 2023.
The ruling, issued on October 7, 2023, stems from a legal battle initiated by Epic Games, the developer of the popular video game Fortnite. Epic Games won a landmark antitrust case against Google last year, accusing the company of unlawfully monopolizing Android app distribution and in-app payment systems. The federal jury found that Google had stifled competition, effectively controlling how apps were downloaded and how transactions were processed on Android devices.
In its court filing on Friday night, Google argued that Judge Donato’s injunction would inflict “serious safety, security, and privacy risks” on the Android ecosystem. The company expressed concern that the requirement to allow third-party app stores and competing payment systems within the Play Store could expose users to vulnerabilities, including malware and fraudulent activity.
The tech company asked Judge Donato to stay the order while it appeals the injunction. Should the judge deny this request, Google is prepared to take its appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, where it would seek to block the injunction during the appeal process.
Under the judge’s order, Google would be forced to allow users to download apps from third-party app platforms, bypassing the Play Store. Additionally, Google would no longer be allowed to prevent developers from using competing in-app payment methods or make payments to device manufacturers to preinstall its app store. The ruling is expected to have significant implications for Google’s business model, which currently generates substantial revenue from its Play Store.
The outcome of this case is part of a broader legal challenge to the dominance of major tech platforms, with regulators and private companies questioning the practices of Google and other Silicon Valley giants. As Google prepares its appeal, the tech industry and legal experts will be watching closely to see how this precedent-setting case unfolds.
If Google’s appeal is successful, the injunction could be delayed or overturned. However, if the request for a stay is denied, Google will be required to comply with the court’s order, potentially altering the landscape of mobile app distribution in the U.S. This case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing antitrust scrutiny facing large technology companies.
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