Google Seeks to Delay US Judge's App Store Ruling Amidst Antitrust Battle

Google has requested a California federal judge to delay a court order that mandates opening its Play Store to more competition, citing potential security risks.

Google is currently embroiled in a legal battle as it seeks to delay a significant court ruling that could reshape its app store operations. The tech giant, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has asked a California federal judge to pause an injunction that requires it to open its Play Store to greater competition. This request comes in the wake of a court order issued by U.S. District Judge James Donato, which is set to take effect on November 1, 2024.

The injunction stems from a lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the creator of "Fortnite," which accused Google of monopolizing the app distribution and payment processes on Android devices. A federal jury previously found Google guilty of these antitrust violations, leading to Judge Donato's sweeping order. The order mandates that Google must allow users to download apps from third-party platforms and cannot restrict the use of alternative in-app payment methods. Additionally, it prohibits Google from making payments to device manufacturers to preinstall its app store and from sharing Play Store revenue with other app distributors.

Google argues that implementing these changes would introduce "serious safety, security, and privacy risks" into the Android ecosystem. The company has filed an appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn the jury's verdict and the subsequent injunction. If Judge Donato denies Google's request to stay the order, the company plans to ask the appeals court to intervene.

This legal maneuvering highlights the ongoing tension between major tech companies and regulatory bodies over market dominance and consumer choice. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how digital marketplaces operate and are regulated in the future.

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