Google Play Store Ruling Face Trouble for Longtime Android Users

Following Epic Games' victory in a long-standing antitrust suit against Google, the tech giant is set to make several changes to its Play Store policies. As part of the settlement, Google will pay $700 million in fines and implement adjustments to its app store practices. Some of the key proposed policies include:

1. Alternative App Stores: Manufacturers will have the option to provide an alternative app store alongside the Play Store on new devices.

2. Streamlined Sideloading: A new sideloading interface will reduce warnings about installing unverified third-party software from two alert boxes to one.

3. Billing Options: Developers can offer alternative billing options alongside Google Play, allowing them to bypass Play Store fees.

However, concerns have arisen about the potential impact on the Android user experience. While some changes are developer-friendly, others could hamper the user experience. Notable changes include:

• Promotional Spam: Developers will be allowed to contact users outside of apps using any available data, potentially leading to increased promotional spam.

• Price Transparency: Developers are no longer required to hide pricing information, which could result in apps displaying more information about cost savings through alternative in-app purchases.

• Delayed Updates: Google will not mandate simultaneous updates for Android apps published on third-party stores, potentially causing delays in feature parity for default Android users.

• Background Updates: Third-party app stores can update Android apps in the background without user consent, a practice that may be perceived as intrusive.

• OEM Bloatware: Google cannot prevent original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) from preloading devices with their chosen apps for the next four years, potentially leading to increased bloatware.

While these changes aim to foster a more open ecosystem, critics, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, view the settlement as an "injustice" and claim that it replaces the 30% app store fee with "26% of junk fees." The final terms of the settlement will be determined by the judge on February 8, 2024.