Judge Rules Google Must Open Play Store to Competition

A US federal judge has ruled that Google must allow Android apps made by rival technology firms onto its Google Play app store for three years starting next month.

According to BBC reports, the change was among several remedies ordered by Judge James Donato in a case brought against Google by Epic Games, the maker of the hit video game Fortnite.

Google says it will appeal against the decision and ask for a pause to the proposed remedies.

In December, a jury sided with Epic, which says Google stifled competitors by controlling the distribution of apps and payments on Android phones.

Google said in a statement that the changes would put consumers’ privacy and security at risk, make it harder for developers to promote their apps, and reduce competition on devices.

Some legal experts have hailed the ruling as a meaningful challenge to the dominance of a handful of technology giants.