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In the ongoing saga of legal battles within the tech industry, Google has taken the stage to respond to Epic Games’ lawsuit, defending the Android platform against claims of restrictive practices. Epic Games, known for its global campaign against app store regulations, has already faced setbacks in a similar legal duel with Apple. Now, Google aims to dismantle Epic’s assertions concerning Android’s alleged limitations.
Here’s a breakdown of Google’s response to Epic Games’ claims:
1. Android’s Flexibility and Choices:
Epic contends that Google Play’s distribution is restrictive, forcing developers to adhere to a single platform. However, Google argues that Android stands out as the only major mobile platform offering developers multiple ways to distribute apps. Most Android devices come preloaded with various app stores, and users can install others, providing unparalleled choice and flexibility.
2. Google Play’s Value Beyond Payments:
Contrary to Epic’s portrayal of Google Play’s sole value being payment processing, Google emphasizes its comprehensive support for developers. Google Play invests significantly in tools and services to aid developers at every stage of their app’s journey, fostering an environment of growth and innovation.
3. Competitive Fee Structure:
While Epic argues that Google Play’s fees are too high, Google asserts that its fees are the lowest among major app stores. With a service fee applied only when developers sell in-app digital goods or services, Google Play’s model is designed to align its success with that of developers, avoiding burdensome up-front charges.
4. User Choice in Payments:
Addressing claims that consumers are compelled to use Google Play’s billing system, Google highlights its pilot system offering users a choice between Google Play’s billing and the developer’s system. This user choice billing, currently live in over 35 countries, provides flexibility while maintaining Android’s safety standards.
5. Safety Risks and Notifications:
Google argues that Epic’s lawsuit jeopardizes Android’s safety measures. The platform emphasizes its commitment to user safety, including notifications when downloading apps from external sources. Epic’s push to remove these notifications, according to Google, could compromise the security and privacy of Android’s three billion users.
In the face of these legal challenges, Google maintains its commitment to Android’s choice, flexibility, and safety for consumers and developers of all sizes. As the courtroom becomes the battleground, the tech world watches closely to see how this clash between Google and Epic Games unfolds.
News Source: blog.google
