Alphabet's Google has reached a landmark settlement with Epic Games, creator of the popular 'Fortnite' franchise, proposing sweeping reforms to its Android app store policies. The agreement, filed in a U.S. federal court, aims to lower fees, enhance competition, and expand payment options for developers and consumers globally.
The proposed changes follow Epic's 2020 antitrust lawsuit alleging Google's monopolistic control over app distribution and payments on Android devices. While Google denies wrongdoing, the settlement includes provisions allowing third-party app stores to operate more freely on Android, provided they meet new security standards. Developers would also gain flexibility to direct users to alternative payment systems, with Google implementing reduced service fees of 9% or 20% for transactions using non-Play billing options.
Sameer Samat, Google's President of Android Ecosystem, emphasized the balance between user safety and market innovation: 'These changes maintain protections while offering developers more choices.' Epic CEO Tim Sweeney praised the proposal as a return to Android's 'original vision as an open platform.'
The settlement awaits approval from U.S. District Judge James Donato, who previously ruled in Epic's favor. The outcome could reshape app economy dynamics across Asia's rapidly growing mobile markets, where Android dominates over 75% of smartphone operating systems.
