Epic Games CEO calls Google’s antitrust settlement a win for Android’s ‘imaginative and prescient as an open platform’

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is calling Google’s proposal in its antitrust settlement with the Fortnite maker a “comprehensive solution” that “genuinely doubles down” on Android’s imaginative and prescient of being an open platform.

The corporations on Tuesday reached a settlement that sees the search big agreeing to Android app retailer reforms that embrace reducing charges and enabling extra competitors.

Under the brand new proposal, which nonetheless requires the decide’s approval, Google will permit Android app builders to level customers to various fee mechanisms inside their apps and thru exterior net hyperlinks. It additionally caps the charges Google is ready to cost builders at both 9% or 20%, relying on the kind of transaction and the date on which the app was put in.

In a post on X, Sameer Samat, president of the Android Ecosystem at Google, wrote that the corporate’s proposed adjustments “focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe.” If authorized by the courtroom, the deal would put an finish to the antitrust litigation.

Sweeney praised the proposal, calling it “awesome,” and contrasted it with Apple’s mannequin, which he mentioned was targeted on “blocking all competing stores and leaving payments as the only vector for competition.”

Apple has argued its insurance policies are about defending shoppers and managing App Store safety. That mentioned, the iPhone maker just lately reported record revenue for its Services business, which incorporates the App Store — the section’s income rose 15% to $28.75 billion within the final quarter from a yr earlier.

Epic Games had sued each Google and Apple, accusing their respective app retailer ecosystems of being anti-competitive, and alleging the businesses have an excessive amount of management, cost extreme charges, and favor their very own in-app fee methods. Apple largely gained its case with Epic however needed to modify its App Store guidelines to permit for various fee choices. Google, nevertheless, misplaced its enchantment in July after a jury discovered that the search big had stifled competitors and wanted to make adjustments.

After the win, Sweeney introduced that the Epic Games Store for Android could be coming to the Google Play Store.

Updated after publication to notice that the charges additionally rely on the date of app set up, per the filing.