# Epic Games Faces Off Against Samsung and Google: The Fight Over Alleged Anti-Competitive “Safety Tools”
Epic Games, the renowned creator of the universally acclaimed game *Fortnite*, finds itself embroiled in yet another legal conflict, this time taking aim at tech behemoths Google and Samsung. The core of the matter? Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” functionality, which Epic alleges is intended to hinder competition from alternative app stores. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, argues that the feature aims not to safeguard users from malware, but to obstruct competition—an allegation prompting a fresh surge of legal disputes.
## Essential Details
– **Epic Games** has brought forth a lawsuit against **Google** and **Samsung**, claiming their actions constitute anti-competitive behavior concerning third-party app downloads.
– This legal action specifically targets Samsung’s **”Auto Blocker”** feature, which comes pre-enabled on devices operating with **One UI 6** and newer. Epic contends that this feature blocks users from downloading and installing apps from external sources.
– **Tim Sweeney**, the CEO of Epic Games, insists that the feature is not intended to defend users against malware but to eliminate competition.
– Epic has already supplied a preliminary **42-page lawsuit** to Samsung.
– This legal move follows a **jury decision in December 2023**, in which Epic emerged victorious in a case against Google concerning anti-competitive practices related to the Play Store.
## The Heart of the Controversy: Samsung’s “Auto Blocker”
The ongoing legal confrontation centers on Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which is automatically activated on Galaxy devices using One UI 6 and above. Epic claims that this feature inhibits users from downloading and installing applications from unapproved sources, including third-party app stores like the Epic Games Store. Adding to the contention is the fact that, as per Epic, no formal procedure exists for third-party developers to gain “authorization” for their apps to bypass the Auto Blocker.
Tim Sweeney has openly expressed his concerns, declaring, “The feature isn’t crafted to guard against malware, which would be a completely valid objective. It’s meant to obstruct competition.” This statement implies that Samsung is concealing its intent to monopolize the app ecosystem on its devices under the pretense of security, ultimately restricting user options and hindering competition.
## Samsung’s Reaction
Samsung has neither confirmed nor refuted the aim of the Auto Blocker feature. Nonetheless, a company spokesperson, **Chris Langlois**, stated, “In contrast to Epic Games’ claims, Samsung actively promotes market competition, broadens consumer choice, and conducts its business fairly.” This response indicates that Samsung views its practices as consistent with industry norms and asserts that the Auto Blocker isn’t intended to undermine competition.
Epic reportedly proposed the establishment of a “whitelisting” system for the Auto Blocker to Samsung, enabling select third-party applications to bypass the feature. This would simplify the existing **21-step procedure** users undergo when seeking to install apps from outside official app stores. However, discussions did not yield a resolution, prompting Epic to pursue legal action.
## The Google Association
While the lawsuit primarily addresses Samsung, **Google** is also drawn into the fray. Epic alleges that Samsung might have collaborated with Google to design the Auto Blocker as part of a wider agenda to curtail competition from third-party app stores. However, there is no definitive proof to back this claim, and Google has refuted any involvement. **Dave Kleidermacher**, Google’s security head for Android, remarked, “Google did not ask Samsung to create their Auto Blocker feature.”
This confrontation isn’t Epic’s first altercation with Google. In December 2023, Epic won a jury ruling in a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of monopolistic tactics concerning its Play Store. The jury concluded that Google had engaged in anti-competitive practices, especially in complicating how developers distribute apps outside the Play Store. This triumph has motivated Epic to persist in its campaign against what it perceives as unjust practices within the mobile app landscape.
## A Battle for All Developers?
Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, has characterized this legal struggle as a defense of all developers, not just Epic Games. He believes that the restrictions imposed by corporations like Google and Samsung curtail developers’ abilities to reach users and stifle creativity in the app environment. By contesting these practices, Epic aims to foster a more open and competitive landscape for all developers.
Sweeney has consistently criticized both Google and Samsung. During the summer, he expressed his discontent with Samsung’s policies, commenting in a tweet, “This change obstructs users from installing competing stores…” This sentiment resonates with the claims Epic presented in its lawsuit against Google, accusing the company of leveraging its dominance in the Android ecosystem to curtail competition.
## The Future Path
As this new lawsuit unfolds
