A judge in the Epic vs. Google case has ruled that alternative marketplaces must be permitted on the Google Play Store in the United States

A recent legal decision mandates that Google must alter its mobile ecosystem within the U.S., including making changes to how the Google Play marketplace integrates with other app stores.

The directive is part of the final decision by Judge James Donato, following the trial between Epic and Google from the previous year. The Verge reports that Google is now required to support the distribution of third-party app stores via Google Play. Additionally, these stores should have complete access to Google Play's applications, unless developers choose to opt out.

The implementation of these changes is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2024, and continue until November 1, 2027.

Google plans to challenge the decision, citing potential negative impacts on consumers, developers, and device manufacturers in the United States.

Starting in November and for the subsequent three years, developers will not be mandated to use Google Play Billing for apps distributed through the Play Store.

Furthermore, Google is prohibited from incentivizing developers to prioritize Google Play for app launches or to discourage them from considering competing stores. Similarly, Google cannot restrict mobile carriers from preloading other app stores or tie the preinstallation of Google Play to such restrictions.

Android developers must also be allowed to inform users of alternative payment methods and other ways to obtain apps outside of Google Play.

These measures align with several requests made by Epic Games during last year’s trial, where the jury favored Epic. Some demands, however, such as allowing single-click sideloading and extending the required changes for six years, were not approved.

Despite the ruling, Google retains some ability to control Google Play's operations for security reasons. The company can implement necessary measures that are narrowly focused. A three-person technical committee, appointed jointly by Google and Epic, will be established within eight months to manage these changes.

Recently, Epic initiated another lawsuit against Google and Samsung, alleging that Samsung's default setting, Auto Blocker, obstructs alternative app stores on the Android platform.