Judge Postpones Ruling in Antitrust Case Demanding Google Open Its App Store

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge has delayed an order requiring Google to open its Android app store to more competition. This decision will remain in effect until an appeals court addresses whether to block the changes based on legal concerns regarding a jury's verdict that classified Google as an illegal monopolist.

The delay follows Judge James Donato's earlier ruling, which mandated significant alterations to Google’s Play Store, set to commence on November 1. These changes would have allowed rival developers to access Google's extensive library of over 2 million Android apps.

Google's request to pause the ruling was granted as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to review the trial that led to the December 2023 verdict, which highlighted the Play Store's monopolistic practices that hinder innovation and inflate consumer prices. Judge Donato expressed skepticism over Google's chances of overturning the verdict, citing substantial evidence of anti-competitive behavior.

Donato acknowledged that the Ninth Circuit may further delay the ruling, but stated it was not within his control. Google expressed satisfaction with the temporary pause, arguing that the mandated changes would jeopardize user security and user experience in Google Play, which supports millions of Android users and developers. Epic Games, the plaintiff in this antitrust suit, declined to comment.

The duration for the Ninth Circuit to decide on a permanent delay remains uncertain, potentially extending the appeals process beyond a year. This scenario mirrors a previous case where the Ninth Circuit postponed a similar ruling against Apple regarding alternative payment systems, allowing Apple to maintain its exclusive payment control within its ecosystem.

Judge Donato indicated that the financial burden Google claimed would arise from complying with the ruling paled in comparison to the company's substantial annual revenues from its Play Store.