Epic is suing Google again. This time, it’s adding Samsung to the lawsuit.
The gaming giant is accusing Google and Samsung of colluding to keep third-party app stores off Samsung’s phones.
The crux of this lawsuit involves a feature on Samsung’s phones called “Auto Blocker”. It’s enabled by default and stops users from installing apps unless they are downloaded from “authorised sources” – in this case meaning Google and Samsung’s app stores.
Epic claims there’s no process for any third-party app store to become an “authorised source”. Although the Auto Blocker feature can be disabled by users if they wish, Epic claims that it requires “an exceptionally onerous 21-step process”.
Though this claim sounds incredible, a report does corroborate it somewhat. Sean Hollister at the Verge said:
When I search for “turn off auto blocker” in my Samsung phone’s universal search bar, there are no relevant search results; when I search for “auto blocker,” I have to tap through several additional screens to shut it off. One of them asks me if I’m really sure, claiming “Auto Blocker keeps your phone safe by blocking threats and other suspicious activity.”
Furthermore, Epic alleges that “Auto Blocker” is a sham. In its legal complaint, Epic claimed that the feature “conducts no assessment of the safety or security of any specific source or any specific app before blocking an installation”.
At the time of writing, Samsung has neither confirmed nor denied that Auto Blocker actually scans an app for threats. It also did not confirm or deny that it worked with Google on the feature. However, the company did provide a statement which said:
Contrary to Epic Games’ assertions, Samsung actively fosters market competition, enhances consumer choice, and conducts its operations fairly.
The features integrated into our devices are designed in accordance with Samsung’s core principles of security, privacy, and user control, and we remain fully committed to safeguarding users’ personal data. Users have the choice to disable Auto Blocker at any time.
We plan to vigorously contest Epic Game’s baseless claims.
Like Samsung, Google also did not confirm or deny whether it worked with Samsung on the feature and a statement from its spokesperson Dan Jackson said:
This is a meritless lawsuit. Android device makers are free to take their own steps to keep their users safe and secure.
Meanwhile, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney is trying to frame the lawsuit as an us-versus-them battle and insists he is fighting on behalf of all app developers.
This isn’t the first time Epic is getting into a tussle over app stores. The company famously sued both Apple and Google over their app stores, insisting that they were unlawful monopolies.
Sweeney said that if his goal was to get Epic special privileges, then he would have settled privately with both Apple and Google. However, doing so would have been “selling out all developers”.
Source: The Verge
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.