Final month, Epic Video games requested a U.S. federal court docket to impose dangerous and unwarranted adjustments to Android and Google Play that will undermine the privateness, safety, and total expertise of customers, builders, and gadget producers. Not solely do Epic’s calls for go far past the scope of the current U.S. trial verdict — which we can be difficult — however they’re additionally pointless as a result of settlement we reached final yr with State Attorneys Basic from each state and a number of territories.
We not too long ago shared with the court docket why we strongly object to Epic’s proposal — and at a listening to later this week, financial specialists will reinforce the the explanation why Epic’s proposed cures are problematic and pointless. This consists of:
- Epic’s proposal places Android customers’ safety in danger on third get together app shops: Epic’s proposal removes Google’s skill to implement belief and security measures that maintain Android customers protected. In contrast to iOS, Android permits OEMs to preload third get together app shops and permits customers to obtain further app shops straight. To take care of a optimistic consumer expertise whereas additionally offering selection, Android incorporates common sense measures to guard consumer safety and privateness – measures which might not be allowed below this proposal.
- Epic’s proposal hurts the privateness of Android customers: Beneath Epic’s proposal, Google could be compelled to inform any and all third get together app shops which apps a consumer has put in on their telephone by means of Google Play. It might wrongly expose an individual’s private apps utilization – even for matters like faith, politics, or well being — for Epic’s acquire. It is a clear violation of consumer privateness.
- Epic’s proposal leaves individuals susceptible to malicious apps: In contrast to on iOS, Android customers have the choice to sideload apps, which means they’ll set up an app straight from a developer’s web site with out going by means of an app retailer. We’ve applied necessary protections to make sure customers are nonetheless protected whereas having fun with selection in apps. Nonetheless, Epic’s proposal would pressure Google to take away them — severely curbing our skill to guard customers from doubtlessly malicious apps.
- Epic’s proposal reduces builders’ management over their app distribution: Builders have many choices for app distribution on Android, however once they select to make use of Google Play, they know the belief and security guidelines that maintain our platform protected. Nonetheless, Epic desires to pressure all different builders to publish their mental property by means of a number of channels with out their consent. Beneath this proposal, builders might out of the blue discover their app on a retailer with out the identical consumer protections or in a retailer that carries inappropriate or offensive content material they don’t need to be related to.
- Epic’s proposal cuts off key enterprise alternatives for builders: As a part of the State Settlement, we’ve already agreed to not signal wide-ranging exclusivity agreements with builders to launch their full app catalog on Google Play. However Epic desires to completely prohibit Google’s skill to supply any monetary incentives to builders to distribute their apps within the Play retailer, even on a non-exclusive and app-by-app foundation. Epic’s proposed treatment would additionally forestall Google from working with builders to offer any unique content material by means of apps distributed within the Play Retailer. It is a frequent technique used to interact customers and develop a developer’s enterprise, but Epic is in search of to restrict this necessary alternative for all builders.
- Epic’s proposal hurts gadget producers: A part of the State AG settlement ensures that any app retailer is free to compete for placement on an Android gadget. However Epic’s proposal would minimize Google Play out of this course of, lowering competitors and subsequently enabling rival app shops to underbid. This would cut back what OEMs can earn from pre-installation and placement on their gadgets, chopping into already slender OEM margins in a approach that would increase client costs.
Epic’s proposed cures have been all clearly designed to solely profit itself. They’d hurt the Android ecosystem, and competitors generally, by creating safety and privateness dangers, depriving builders and OEMs of key enterprise alternatives, and undercutting Google’s skill to assist our investments in Android and Google Play. We’ll proceed to vigorously defend our proper to a sustainable enterprise mannequin that permits us to maintain individuals protected, associate with builders and OEMs to innovate and develop their companies, and maintain the Android ecosystem thriving and wholesome for everybody.
