Antitrust Truce: Google & Epic Games Reach Settlement to Open Up Google Play Store

Google and Epic Games have jointly announced a settlement in their long-running antitrust battle over the Google Play Store, submitting a revised proposal to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco for approval by Judge James Donato. If approved, the deal would formally end the litigation, which began in 2020 and centred on Android app distribution and payment system practices.

The settlement builds on earlier rulings that included a ban on paying manufacturers or developers to secure exclusive distribution through Google Play, a requirement to allow third‑party app stores on Android devices, and a prohibition on compelling use of Google’s payment system.

The revised proposal adds that developers may use alternative payment mechanisms, including in‑app and external link payments, provided they meet Google’s security standards, and sets fee caps at 9% or 20% depending on the transaction type. It also specifies that the third‑party in‑app payment fee cap applies only to newly installed apps, and that reasonable and neutral standards will govern third‑party store compliance to help such stores reach users globally. Samat and Sweeney both welcomed the proposal, with Samat noting the changes aim to expand developer choice and competition while keeping users safe.