US Supreme Court Rejects Google’s Bid to Delay Play Store Overhaul
US Supreme Court Rejects Google’s Bid to Delay Play Store Overhaul
Supreme Court Rules Against Google, Paving Way for App Store Competition
- The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Google’s request to delay changes to its Play Store.
- Starting October 2025, developers can include external payment links.
- The ruling boosts developer flexibility and competition, while Google warns of potential security risks.
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block parts of a judge’s order that requires Google to overhaul its Play Store. This decision stemmed from the 2020 antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, accusing Google of monopolizing app distribution and in-app payments on Android devices.
The Supreme Court’s decision means Google must make major changes. Starting October 22, 2025, developers can add external payment links in their apps, bypassing Google’s billing system. The order will take effect from July 2026, where users can access competing app stores through Google Play. This order also benefits the competitors of Google to use parts of its app catalog.
Reactions from Google and Epic Games
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the ruling in a tweet, stating, "The Supreme Court has thrown out Google's stay request. “
However, Google has expressed its disappointment and has stated that it would plead to the apex court again by October 27. Citing safety concerns, the company warned that the changes suggested in the decision could compromise the ability to safely download apps, thus exposing them to malicious content.
Implications for Developers, Users, and the App Ecosystem
The ruling will reshape the mobile app ecosystem, giving developers more flexibility, thus boosting competition. Epic stated that Google’s objections were based on “flawed security claims” and urged the court to let the order stand to lower prices. With this, users get to choose their payment options as well. However, Google's actions reveal that it would continue its legal battle with Epic.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a major milestone in antitrust scrutiny. For now, it will be interesting to see how Google implements these changes and their impact on both developers and users, since developers can legally add external payment links.
Author
Diya Mukherjee is a Content Writer at Outlook Respawn with a postgraduate background in media. She brings experience in content writing and a passion for exploring cultures, literature, global affairs, and pop culture.
