With a lawsuit in hand, Epic Games is suing Google and Samsung for allegedly limiting users’ access to third-party software shops. Just over a month has passed since Fortnite found its way back to iOS and Android users via the Epic Games Store when the case was submitted to the Northern District of California. According to Epic, the two tech behemoths are working together to restrict the availability of independent app shops such as the Epic Games Store, mainly by using Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” function.
Since Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 and later, the Auto Blocker function has limited the automatic sideloading of third-party programmes and app stores. This led Epic to remove all of its games from Samsung’s Galaxy Store back in July, as it considered the feature to be a major obstacle to playing its games.
Although customers may choose to turn off the Auto Blocker in their settings, it’s a time-consuming and difficult procedure. Epic claims that turning off the function requires up to 21 steps, which will discourage most users from trying to install rival app shops.
Furthermore, according to Epic, this functionality nullifies a December 2023 court decision that determined Google had a monopoly on the distribution of Android apps and had been paying device makers—including Samsung—to avoid competing with the Google Play Store.
Google and Samsung will contest Epic’s case as the court fight progresses, so this disagreement will likely go on for a while.
