Epic Games: after Apple, it also takes Google to court

It would seem that epic Games do not want to make discounts, and after the legal confrontation against Apple, the company based in Cary has decided to take Google to court as well! According to what emerged from the full-bodied press release released by the company in the past few hours on its official website, although the Mountain View giant declares that Android is a totally open platform, Epic is not of the same opinion. The creators of Fortnite claim that the anti-competitive conduct Google violates Australian consumer law as well as various sections of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The company says the US company abuses its control over the Android operating system, limiting competition in payment processing and app distribution on the Google Play Store. According to Epic Games, this harmful conduct stifles innovation, it reduces consumer choice and inflates prices. We report below the words of Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of the company:

Google gives the illusion of being open, arguing about the presence of alternative app stores on its platform or allowing direct downloads of apps from third-party providers, but in reality these situations are so rare that they barely affect the monopoly of the Android operating system .

The barriers that Google places on its operating system are real. In the case of direct download, it makes the process so difficult and scary that it dissuades users from downloading apps from third-party websites even though it's a completely normal way to get apps on desktop. It's actions like this that show that Google is more interested in feigning openness than giving consumers choice. We believe that users have the right to install apps from sources of their choice and that developers have the right to compete in a fair market.

This is yet another legal proceeding, which is added to those already underway against Apple e Google in the United States and the United Kingdom. As can be seen from the press release, epic Games it has no intention of seeking damages from the two companies, but is simply seeking fair access and competition in order to create an advantage for consumers and developers.

We are continuing our fight for fairer digital platforms in Australia and globally and have filed a claim against Google in the Federal Court of Australia. Google says Android is an open platform, but the reality paints a different picture. More here: https://t.co/ebNoPz2kpf

- Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) March 10, 2021