A US judge on Monday ordered Google to open its Android smartphone operating system to rival app stores.
The order will allow Android users more options to download apps and to pay for transactions within them.
The injunction, by U.S. District Judge James Donato in San Francisco outlined the changes that must be implemented by Google to open up its lucrative app store, Play, to greater competition, including making Android apps available from rival sources.
The changes include that for three years Google cannot prohibit the use of in-app payment methods and must allow users to download competing third-party Android app platforms or stores.
The tech giant is also prohibited from making payments to device makers to preinstall its app store and from sharing revenue generated from the Play store with other app distributors.
The judge has also ordered the creation of a three-person Technical Committee to oversee the implementation of the changes and resolve any disputes that may arise.
The order is the result of Google’s defeat in an antitrust case brought by Fortnite-maker Epic Games, where a California jury decided that Google wields illegal monopoly power through its Android Play store.
Google said it would appeal the injunction and also demand that it be set aside pending the outcome of its challenge.
“We look forward to continuing to make our case on appeal, and we will keep advocating for what is best for developers, device manufacturers and the billions of Android users around the world,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s regulatory affairs vice president.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
