Epic Games reportedly files a lawsuit against two big tech giants, Google and Samsung, on Monday in the Northern District of California. The store alleged that both companies are collaboratively blocking app distribution on Samsung devices with Samsung’s default-on Auto Blocker feature. This creates a monopoly and gives Samsung and Google an absolute monopoly over users’ preferences.
The lawsuit has resulted in a battle of Monopoly vs Freedom
Samsung has introduced the Auto Blocker feature in the One UI 6 (Android version 14) in October 2023. It blocks users from installing apps from stores other than the Google Play Store and the Samsung Galaxy Store. Though users can turn off the feature it requires 21 steps to complete. This passively redirects the users to use the Google Play Store as the only source for installing apps.
“We’ve seen roughly 50% of users trying to install the Epic Games Store on Android give up before they’ve gotten it installed because of all the friction introduced,” said Epic Chief Executive Tim Sweeney.
In response, Samsung defended its action regarding the issue raised by Epic. It argued the feature to be Samsung’s core principles of security, privacy, and user control. As the users always are at liberty to disable the auto blocker feature on their devices, the company will “vigorously contest Epic Games’s baseless claims.”
Google and Samsung jointly disrupting the level playing field, Epic plans to restore the balance
Though Epic has its store, it requires a platform to stay connected to the users. Google being the owner of one of the most used mobile operating systems, Android, can heavily influence users to passively turn their back on Epic’s app. On the other hand, Samsung is the world’s largest Android phone manufacturer and has its store as well. Joining together, the boost companies are keeping Epic Games out of the level playing field.
This is not the first time Epic has filed a lawsuit against the giants. Epic has a long history of joining class against the big fishes. Epic recently launched its app store, Epic Games Store. Before, it took down Fortnite from the Samsung Galaxy Store. It filed an injunction against Google over store policy reforms. Also, the store was in dispute with Apple over App Store antitrust laws.
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