Epic files lawsuit against Google and Samsung over “anti-competitive” app Auto Blocker

Fortnite maker Epic Games has filed a lawsuit against Google and Samsung over accusations the two companies are colluding to block competition in the Android app distribution space.

In July, Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 OS update enforced the Auto Blocker feature on new Galaxy smartphone devices, preventing the installation of apps and third-party stores from “unauthorised sources”.

The setting is turned on by default, though users can turn the function off. Users can also authorise apps themselves, though must go through a multi-stage process to do so. The Auto Blocker function was previously opt-in.

Epic alleged the move was “intentionally crafted in coordination with Google to preemptively undermine the US District Court’s remedy following the jury’s verdict in Epic’s case against Google”.

Epic Vs. Google

Last year the jury in the Epic vs. Google case found Google had a monopoly in Android app distribution and that it had entered into anti-competitive deals with OEMs.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney believes Samsung’s Auto Blocker undermines that ruling.

In a briefing with media, Sweeney criticised the move and its “scare screens” that he said aims to prevent users sideloading apps.

While Samsung devices have the Samsung Galaxy Store and Google Play installed, Sweeney claimed users that want to download the Epic Games Store had to go through a multi-step process as Epic Games was an “unauthorised source”.

Sweeney claimed discussions had taken place with Samsung to remove the Auto Blocker process for sideloading apps, except for malware, but that talks had not succeeded, resulting in legal action.

Back in court

When asked whether Epic had tried to get itself whitelisted, Sweeney said Epic’s position was to change the rules for all apps and developers.

It is not clear what whitelisting procedure Samsung may have in place for the Auto Blocker feature. We have reached out for comment but yet to receive a response at the time of publication. In a statement to Reuters, the firm simply said it would “vigorously contest Epic Games’ baseless claims”.

Sweeney said that friction from Google to make it difficult to sideload apps and app stores meant that “roughly 50%” of users trying to install the Epic Games Store had given up before completing the process. It did not have data on the impact of Samsung’s Auto Blocker.

“This goes against everything we’ve been fighting for in Epic versus Apple and Epic versus Google, which is a level playing field where stores and other software sources can compete fairly,” said Sweeney.

In its lawsuit, Epic said it’s asking the court to prohibit Samsung and Google’s “anti-competitive and unfair conduct” and mandate the removal os the Auto Blocker by default to “enable competition”.

“The jury’s decision was unanimous and clear; Google’s agreements with OEMs to block  competition are illegal,” read a statement from Epic.

“This applies not only to Google, but to the device manufacturers that collude with them. We will take all necessary steps to ensure this decision is fully upheld.”

We have reached out to Google for comment on the matter.