Federal Court Orders Google to Open Android to Third-Party App Stores in Antitrust Case

Google plans to appeal and said the court ordered changes ‘undercut Android’s ability to compete with Apple’s iOS,’ which prohibits third-party app stores.

The Google logo at the entrance to the Google offices in London on Jan. 18, 2019. Hannah McKay/Reuters

In a major ruling, a federal court has issued a permanent injunction requiring Google to significantly alter its Android operating system and Google Play Store, specifically mandating that the tech giant allow greater access for third-party app stores.

This follows a jury’s unanimous verdict that Google violated antitrust laws in its dealings with Epic Games, Inc.