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Epic is suing Google — again — and now Samsung, too

The Auto Blocker conspiracy theory.

www.theverge.com

Four years after Epic sued Google for running an illegal app store monopoly — a case it won this past December — Epic is suing again. The Fortnite game developer has filed a second antitrust lawsuit against Google, and now additionally Samsung, accusing them of illegally conspiring to undermine third-party app stores.

The lawsuit revolves around Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which now comes turned-on-by-default on new Samsung phones. While it’s turned on, it automatically keeps users from installing apps unless they come from “authorized sources” — namely, Google and Samsung’s app stores. Epic claims there’s no process for any rival store to become “authorized.”

But a month before it could launch its own store, Epic alleges, Samsung suddenly decided to make Auto Blocker more or less on-by-default — making it harder for new phone buyers to install competing apps themselves.

Epic claims it now requires “an exceptionally onerous 21-step process” to download a third-party app store onto a Samsung phone, making it that much more likely users will give up somewhere along the way.

 

[Mr Moose]

Auto Blocker protects your Galaxy device and data by preventing the installation of applications from unauthorized sources and blocking malicious activity.

I thought Android does that already.

 

[KellyNole]

I am so tired of this. EPIC create your own phone and ecosystem. These companies develop the phone and OSes and put up all the cost. Why would they promote something that will not make them money. If people don't like something they won't buy it or move on to something else.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I am so tired of this. EPIC create your own phone and ecosystem. These companies develop the phone and OSes and put up all the cost. Why would they promote something that will not make them money. If people don't like something they won't buy it or move on to something else.

Literally no one can compete with iOS and Android at this point.

That mobile OS market calcified over a decade ago.

 

[Guilty_AI]

 

[winjer]

I thought Android does that already.

Android blocks, but asks if we want to continue installation. If we say yes, it will unblock and install apps from other sources.
There are several sites that have mirrors of android apps. And usually they have all the older versions. So if an update breaks an app we are using, we can just uninstall it and install the older version that worked best.

 

[BennyBlanco]

I wonder how much Epic has spent on lawsuits in the last 5 years.

 

[KellyNole]

Literally no one can compete with iOS and Android at this point.

That mobile OS market calcified over a decade ago.

Then maybe that is what the people wanted. It's like OSes, TV's, Browsers, or Video game consoles. Once there was many makers and creators of these devices, now there are a few.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Then maybe that is what the people wanted. It's like Windows or Video game consoles. Once there was many, now there are a few.

Yep

iOS vs Android
Windows vs Mac
PlayStation vs Nintendo
Coca-Cola vs Pepsi
Visa vs Mastercard
Marvel vs DC
Airbus vs Boeing
Walmart vs Target

Every industry and market seems to have decades long duoplolies controlling things.

Cars seem to be a major exception where there are many healthy competitors, but this seems rare.

 

[Stitch]

these morons should use the money and make a new unreal tournament

 

[ReBurn]

I wonder how much Epic has spent on lawsuits in the last 5 years.

I wonder how much it is in v-bucks

 

[IFireflyl]

I wonder how much it is in v-bucks

 

[Felessan]

I don't know why Google in the lawsuit, but it certainly a dick move from Samsung

 

[StereoVsn]

I don't know why Google in the lawsuit, but it certainly a dick move from Samsung

It’s not a move to exclude Epic, but rather the issue is that basically all these 3rd party stores host a whole bunch of malware infested apps that nobody checks.

Google Play ain’t amazing in that regard but at least it’s getting better. And iOS has been better than Google if not perfect.

So by allowing 3rd party stores as trusted, Samsung could potentially be sued in return if there were issues with these stores and in general Samsung has been pitching most secure Android hardware for a while with Knox.

So blocking unverified 3rd party stores by default seems reasonable from that aspect. As long as they allow users to unblock it should have been sufficient.

 

[Felessan]

So blocking unverified 3rd party stores by default seems reasonable from that aspect. As long as they allow users to unblock it should have been sufficient.

In 21 steps process?
It's for sure is a thing to block other stores but Google (that they can't get rid of) and their own by vastly overcomplicating process. Because, you know, they too love money and want a cut.

My android phone checks apps for malware, show big red notification about untrustworthy source and require to actually enter account password to proceed installation. But it all done on the installation screen and can be passed through in like 15 seconds, making it convenient for users.

 

[StereoVsn]

In 21 steps process?
It's for sure is a thing to block other stores but Google (that they can't get rid of) and their own by vastly overcomplicating process. Because, you know, they too love money and want a cut.

My android phone checks apps for malware, show big red notification about untrustworthy source and require to actually enter account password to proceed installation. But it all done on the installation screen and can be passed through in like 15 seconds, making it convenient for users.

IMO, some friction is good in this case because majority of users will just click through.

However if it is 21 step process than yeah, it’s a bit lol worthy.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I am so tired of this. EPIC create your own phone and ecosystem. These companies develop the phone and OSes and put up all the cost. Why would they promote something that will not make them money. If people don't like something they won't buy it or move on to something else.

Hey Walmart, Costco and Home Depot! Would you mind promoting our website so customers can buy direct from us instead of going through your store?

Thanks,

(Said no manufacturer in the world)

 

[hemo memo]

Dejavu

 

[proandrad]

The resentment over 3rd party pc store exclusives killed whatever shot epic game store had. They should blame themselves over not adjusting quickly when they pissed off potential customers.

 

[HogIsland]

I'm ok with this. I think the courts forcing "open" mobile platforms is generally good, even if Epic sucks.

 

[SportsFan581]

Poor Epic, always attacked by everyone, so sad.

 

[Topher]

Epic lawsuit? Damn....I guess it is Monday already.

 

[Stitch]

In 21 steps process?

the article says it's not 21 steps and epics own site says it's 4 steps

https://www.epicgames.com/help/en-US/c-Category_Fortnite/c-Fortnite_TechnicalSupport/how-to-disable-auto-blocker-on-your-samsung-galaxy-phone-running-one-ui-6-1-1-a000090482?sessionInvalidated=true

 

[Goalus]

I am so tired of this. EPIC create your own phone and ecosystem. These companies develop the phone and OSes and put up all the cost. Why would they promote something that will not make them money. If people don't like something they won't buy it or move on to something else.

Yes, why doesn't Microsoft charge Valve a 30% cut of every Steam sale on a Windows machine?

 

[Lucifers Beard]

Android devices block third party apps by default because most people are fucking idiots and would have their phones compromised within minutes of owning them.

The guys an absolute fucking tool shed.

 

[kevboard]

Then maybe that is what the people wanted. It's like OSes, TV's, Browsers, or Video game consoles. Once there was many makers and creators of these devices, now there are a few.

 

[Bernoulli]

I don't know why Google in the lawsuit, but it certainly a dick move from Samsung

Samsung was open a few years ago
Makes no sense to add this autoblock

 

[LordCBH]

I would love to see Epic go bankrupt from all these lawsuits.

 

[Mistake]

I am so tired of this. EPIC create your own phone and ecosystem. These companies develop the phone and OSes and put up all the cost. Why would they promote something that will not make them money. If people don't like something they won't buy it or move on to something else.

Easier said than done. These businesses get exclusive contracts with parts manufacturers, basically stating the parts can only be sold to them. So not only does it make it impossible to fix your stuff, it stifles any competition from making a similar product

 

[Roni]

I struggle to see how this behavior isn't beneficial to Tencent and its Chinese owners.

 

[rodrigolfp]

"and now additionally Samsung, accusing them of illegally conspiring to undermine third-party app stores."

LOL.

 

[BlackTron]

the article says it's not 21 steps and epics own site says it's 4 steps

https://www.epicgames.com/help/en-US/c-Category_Fortnite/c-Fortnite_TechnicalSupport/how-to-disable-auto-blocker-on-your-samsung-galaxy-phone-running-one-ui-6-1-1-a000090482?sessionInvalidated=true

Lawsuit must count things like moving your eye to a different part of the screen, processing your next action, and sending neural impulses to your fingers as steps.

 

[Rick Dangerous]

Then maybe that is what the people wanted. It's like OSes, TV's, Browsers, or Video game consoles. Once there was many makers and creators of these devices, now there are a few.

Sorry but totally dumb.

 

[GHG]

Yes, why doesn't Microsoft charge Valve a 30% cut of every Steam sale on a Windows machine?

The fuck has any of this got to do with Microsoft?

 

[hemo memo]

Epic lawsuit? Damn....I guess it is Monday already.

I thought Monday's are only for Microsoft's acquisition of SEGA?

 

[Topher]

I thought Monday's are only for Microsoft's acquisition of SEGA?

Wednesday my man. Wednesday

 

[theHFIC]

Epic is a proxy American business doing this lawsuit for Tencent and their 40% investment prove me wrong.

 

[Topher]

Yes, why doesn't Microsoft charge Valve a 30% cut of every Steam sale on a Windows machine?

Windows is an open platform. Always has been.

 

[BlackTron]

Android devices block third party apps by default because most people are fucking idiots and would have their phones compromised within minutes of owning them.

The guys an absolute fucking tool shed.

Don't worry, Tencent's new antivirus will save us.