Judge rules Google's Play store is an illegal monopoly, orders sweeping changes



A district judge declared Google's Android app store an illegal monopoly, and the company must now make a bevy of changes to comply with the law.

Judge James Donato issued a ruling in Epic v. Google. Epic operates its own app store, the Epic Games Store, which has been cordoned off from Google's Play Store on Android devices.

The judge ruled that Google will be required to distribute other third-party app stores within its own app store and allow the other app stores to access its catalogue of programs. Developers can still opt out of any store they please, of course.

Perhaps the biggest portion of the ruling is that developers will no longer have to pay Google the 30% app tax. Gone is the requirement for developers to solely use Google Play Billing, which saw a 30% commission on the sale of paid apps and in-app purchases, including subscriptions.

For a term of three years from November 2024 to 2027, Google will also be required to let Android developers tell users about alternative payment methods, provide download links outside of the Play Store, and set their own prices for apps.

'The provisions are designed to level the playing field.'

At the same time, Google will be restricted from influencing phone carriers, developers, and other distributors through monetary compensation or perks.

According to the Verge, Google will be prohibited from sharing app revenue "with any person or entity that distributes Android apps" or with any entity that plans to launch an app store or platform.

Google also must not offer developers money or perks to launch their apps exclusively (or first) on the Play Store, and they also cannot offer money or perks to developers to not launch their apps on rival stores.

Device makers and carriers cannot receive money or perks for preinstalling the Google Play Store on their devices or purposely not preinstalling rival stores on devices.

The judge agreed that Google had developed so many deals with developers, carriers, and device manufacturers that it was nearly impossible for another store to flourish. Therefore, it is fair to assume that the aforementioned restrictions are in place to prevent the deals Google engaged in.

The three-year term was decided based on plaintiff Epic's request for six years, along with other unmet demands, such as sideloading apps in the store.

The judge justified his three-year term as a window for other stores to grow:

"The provisions are designed to level the playing field for the entry and growth of rivals, without burdening Google excessively," Judge Donato wrote. "As competition comes into play and the network effects that Google Play unfairly enjoys are abated, Google should not be unduly constrained as a competitor."

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Video: Apple Store employee wears pro-Palestinian garment, smiles when confronted about it, and store manager defends her



An Apple Store employee was caught on video smiling when she was confronted about wearing a pro-Palestinian garment on the job — and a store manager defended her.

What are the details?

The video — posted Thursday on X — features a male apparently recording the clip and speaking near a pair of Apple Store employees, one of whom is wearing a pro-Palestinian garment on her waist:

Image source: X video screenshot via @sivanhakolkalul

The video narrator calls the female employee wearing the garment a "terrorist" who's "supporting f***ing Palestine."

The female employee just smiles, proudly points to her garment, and says "right here."

Image source: X video screenshot via @sivanhakolkalul

Seconds later, a female who identified herself as one of the store managers began to speak to the narrator, and he asked the manager why the employee was wearing the pro-Palestinian garment.

The manager told the narrator that he was harassing the employee, that he needed to leave the store, and that security would be called if he failed to comply.

Image source: X video screenshot via @sivanhakolkalul

The narrator was also accused of not being a customer, but the narrator insisted that he was in the store to pick up an item and pulled out what he said is his identification and credit card.

"Why did you let them wear this flag?" the narrator asked the manager. "Is she supporting [terror group] Hamas?" The manager and employee both deny she was supporting Hamas.

Soon the employee wearing the pro-Palestinian garment put up her hand and told the video narrator to "stop screaming."

Image source: X video screenshot via @sivanhakolkalul

The narrator then said Hamas "f***ing beheaded our babies," after which the employee wearing the pro-Palestinian garment replied, "That never happened."

The narrator then called the employee wearing the pro-Palestinian garment a "f***ing moron." The employee appeared to get angry, but she walked away as the narrator called her a "piece of s**t." The manager again told the narrator that he needed to leave, and that's when the clip ends.

Content warning: Language:

— (@)

The date the video was recorded isn't clear, and neither is the exact location of the Apple Store in question; but the original poster of the clip indicates the store is in Orange County, California.

Apple on Friday afternoon didn't immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment on the video.

How are folks reacting?

As you might imagine, a whole bunch of folks aren't pleased about the Apple Store employee mixing her work with an overtly pro-Palestinian point of view:

  • "Shame on @Apple for allowing this celebration [of] Hamas by an employee at an Apple Store," one commenter said. "Why call it a place for community when it's now just a political stage for your employees?"
  • "@Apple you want to be boycotted next?" another commenter asked. "Identify these employees and FIRE THEM."
  • "I am writing as a Jewish customer and stockholder," said another X user who addressed his comment directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook. "The store’s staff is making Jewish customers feel unsafe and attacked. Hamas, the elected ruler of the Palestine entity, recently kidnapped and murdered 1,800 Israelis and Americans. Please urgently advise."
  • "Employees that alienate potential or current customers ultimately hurt the revenues and Apple shareholders," another commenter stated.
  • "So Apple supports terrorism? Wearing the flag as an employee is harassment in and of itself. And a blanket endorsement by Apple that they support terrorism," another commenter opined.

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