After Epic Games successfully sued Apple and Google, it is now against Samsung – Firstpost

Epic Games, under the leadership of its determined CEO Tim Sweeney, has once again entered the legal arena, this time setting its sights on Samsung. Following Epic’s high-profile disputes with Apple and Google over app store monopolies, the gaming company has filed a lawsuit in the US accusing Samsung of making it harder for users to install alternative app stores, including Epic’s own marketplace.

Sweeney’s concern has always been that phone makers could still create obstacles even after a legal victory against Google that forced the company to allow alternative app stores on Android. According to Epic, Samsung did just that, requiring users to change their phone settings to download apps from the internet, including Epic’s App Store.

This requirement, introduced in July, makes the installation process longer and more complicated, reportedly extending the steps from 15 to 21. Epic launched its App Store in August, only to face these new hurdles.

Auto Blocker triggers a legal conflict
At the center of the dispute is Samsung’s auto-blocking function. The tech giant claims Auto Blocker is designed to protect users from malicious software and apps from unauthorized sources. However, Epic argues that the additional steps required to download apps are not about security, but rather about blocking competition. According to Sweeney, the more hurdles users face, the fewer are likely to complete the process, making it harder for alternative app stores to gain traction.

In response to the lawsuit, Samsung defended itself on the grounds that it was promoting competition and increasing consumer choice. Samsung also noted that users can disable the automatic blocker if they wish, dismissing Epic’s claims as baseless. Google, which is also named in the lawsuit, stood by Samsung and a spokesperson noted that Android device makers are free to take steps to protect their users.

Despite these denials, Epic believes the situation is clearly a case of anti-competitive practices. The company has cited previous communications between Google and Samsung that were supposedly about restricting competition, although Sweeney admits there is no direct evidence of collaboration between the two tech giants on Auto Blocker.

Freedom in the App Store
This latest lawsuit is part of Epic’s broader campaign to open up mobile app stores to more competition, which began in 2020. While downloading apps for free is easy on desktops, mobile platforms like Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android have been more restrictive. Their app stores generate huge revenue from commissions, something Epic has fought to change.

Epic has already won a small victory against Apple, although further legal challenges are underway. Likewise, Google could soon face penalties for its practices. But for Epic, the fight is far from over. Sweeney acknowledged that despite contacting Samsung for a resolution, an agreement could not be reached, leading to the lawsuit. He admitted that suing Samsung, a company that has supported Epic in the past, was not ideal, but insisted that the fight for a level playing field must continue.

Although Epic’s App Store has over 10 million installs, it’s still well below the company’s goal of 100 million by the end of the year. Sweeney believes features like Auto Blocker have slowed their progress. Despite the ongoing legal costs and challenges, he remains focused on the long-term benefits and is confident that the barriers will eventually be removed, leading to more competition and choice in the mobile app market.