**Google Faces Deadline to Address Play Store Antitrust Concerns with Epic Games**
Google has been assigned a 14-day timeframe to implement crucial modifications to the Play Store and Android subsequent to a court judgment favoring Epic Games. This ruling follows the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a prior decision mandating Google to execute antitrust remedies.
The court’s decision permits Epic to launch its app store on Google Play, forcing Google to make essential alterations within a fortnight. Nonetheless, an emergency stay granted by the court has prolonged Google’s deadline by another week. Google is pursuing additional delays, contending that swift changes might jeopardize the stability of the Android ecosystem.
Per the court’s directive, Google must allow developers to utilize their own payment systems and notify users of alternative payment options within the Play Store. Developers are also allowed to provide links for app downloads outside the Play Store and possess complete autonomy over app pricing. Moreover, Google is restricted from financing exclusivity or preinstallation agreements and is required to work with Epic to support third-party app stores.
Although the arrival of the Epic Games Store on Google Play is expected, it will not take place until at least 2026. Google’s appeal for a stay underscores the critical nature of the situation, cautioning about possible disruptions for millions of users and developers. The Ninth Circuit’s determination regarding Google’s stay request is still forthcoming, but the company will ultimately need to embrace competing app stores or grant full access to its app offerings.
