Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is call Google’s proposal in its antitrust settlement with the Fortnite maker a “total solution” that “truly doubles down” on Android’s vision of being an open platform.
The companies reached an agreement on Tuesday in which the search giant agrees to reforms to the Android app store that include lowering fees and allowing more competition.
Under the new proposal, which still requires a judge’s approval, Google will allow Android app developers to direct users to alternative payment mechanisms within their apps and via external web links. It also limits the fees Google can charge developers to 9% or 20%, depending on the type of transaction and the date the app was installed.
In one posting on XSameer Samat, president of Google’s Android Ecosystem, wrote that the company’s proposed changes “focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, reducing fees, and encouraging more competition while keeping users safe.” If approved by the court, the deal would end the antitrust litigation.
Sweeney praised the proposal, calling it “amazing” and contrasting it with Apple’s model, which he said is focused on “locking out all competing stores and leaving payments as the only competitor.”
Apple has maintained that its policies are about protecting consumers and managing the security of the App Store. That said, the iPhone maker recently reported record revenue for its serviceswhich includes the App Store — the division’s revenue rose 15% to $28.75 billion in the latest quarter compared with a year earlier.
Epic Games had sued both Google and Apple, accusing their respective app store ecosystems of being anti-competitive and arguing that the companies have too much control, charge excessive fees and favor their own in-app payment systems. Apple largely won its case with Epic, but had to modify its App Store rules to allow alternative payment options. Google, however, lost its appeal in July after a jury found the search giant had stifled competition and needed to make changes.
After the win, Sweeney announced that the Epic Games Store for Android it would come to the Google Play Store.
Updated after publication to note that charges also depend on the date the app was installed, per archiving.
