Event
US District Court Judge James Donato has ordered Google to make it easier to install third-party app stores within one week, ruling that the company's current implementation introduces unnecessary anticompetitive friction. The order follows an antitrust case with Epic Games, requiring Google to improve search visibility and remove extra menu layers that hinder downloads.
2 published stories · artificial-intelligence · source reliability 67%
US District Court Judge James Donato ruled that Google’s current implementation of alternative app stores introduces unnecessary anticompetitive barriers, requiring immediate changes to search results and download buttons.
Background
US District Judge James Donato has ordered Google to remove 'anticompetitive friction' hindering the installation of rival app stores on Android. The ruling, which follows a hearing involving Epic Games, mandates that Google improve search results for third-party stores, remove unnecessary 'view' buttons before installation, and eliminate redundant confirmation screens. Google was ordered to implement these changes within one week. This decision is part of ongoing antitrust litigation, nearly three years after a jury found Google guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly over Android apps. Two years prior, Judge Donato had already ordered Google to carry rival stores within the Google Play Store. Unrelated background context notes that Google’s Gemini app recently reached one billion monthly active users.
US District Judge James Donato has ordered Google to remove 'anticompetitive friction' hindering the installation of rival app stores on Android. The ruling, which follows a hearing involving Epic Games, mandates that Google improve search results for third-party stores, remove u
Fact cards
Key entities: Google, Epic Games, US District Court, Judge James Donato, The Verge, Aptoide.
What specific changes must Google make to rival app store installations? Google must improve search results for third-party stores, remove 'view' buttons before installation, and eliminate redundant confirmation screens. How long does Google have to implement these changes? Googl
Engadget | https://www.engadget.com/2237323/google-must-make-it-easier-to-install-alternative-app-stores-judge-orders | published 2026-08-14T18:38:40.000Z | primary source | The Verge | https://www.theverge.com/policy/979852/that-is-not-acceptable-judge-orders-google-to-make-riva
2023-08-11: Google's Gemini app reaches one billion monthly active users 2024-08-11: Judge Donato orders Google to carry rival Android app stores inside Google Play Store 2026-08-13: US District Judge James Donato orders Google to remove 'anticompetitive friction' from rival app
Timeline
Google's Gemini app reaches one billion monthly active users
Judge Donato orders Google to carry rival Android app stores inside Google Play Store
US District Judge James Donato orders Google to remove 'anticompetitive friction' from rival app store installs
FAQ
Google must improve search results for third-party stores, remove 'view' buttons before installation, and eliminate redundant confirmation screens.
Google was ordered to implement the changes within one week.
The ruling is part of ongoing antitrust litigation between Epic Games and Google, following a 2023 jury verdict that Google held an illegal monopoly over Android apps.
No, the background cards regarding Gemini reaching one billion users are unrelated to this specific legal ruling.