Epic Games is back in court, this time taking on Google and Samsung in a fresh legal battle. The gaming company is accusing both tech giants of conspiring to prevent third-party app stores from being easily accessible on Samsung smartphones.
At the centre of the dispute is a Samsung feature called “Auto Blocker,” which is turned on by default on its phones. This feature stops users from installing apps unless they come from what Samsung deems “authorised sources”—either Google Play or Samsung's own Galaxy Store.
The challenge of third-party app stores
Epic claims that there's no clear way for other app stores to become one of these authorised sources. Although users can turn off the Auto Blocker feature, Epic says doing so involves a difficult 21-step process. Epic argues that this complexity is a deliberate move to discourage users from exploring alternative app stores, thus limiting competition.
A report confirms the difficulty of disabling Auto Blocker, supporting Epic's claims. Users find no helpful results when searching for “turn off Auto Blocker” on a Samsung phone. Disabling the feature requires navigating through multiple screens, one of which cautions that “Auto Blocker keeps your phone safe by blocking threats and other suspicious activity.”
Epic claims Auto Blocker is a “sham”
Epic is also questioning the legitimacy of Auto Blocker's security features. According to the company's lawsuit, Auto Blocker does not assess whether a particular app or source is safe before blocking it. Epic claims this makes the feature more about controlling where apps come from rather than genuinely protecting users.
So far, Samsung has neither confirmed nor denied whether Auto Blocker performs any real threat assessments. The company hasn't confirmed whether it collaborated with Google to develop the feature. However, Samsung did release a statement defending its practices, saying:
“Contrary to Epic Games' assertions, Samsung actively fosters market competition, enhances consumer choice, and conducts its operations fairly. The features integrated into our devices are designed by Samsung's core principles of security, privacy, and user control, and we remain fully committed to safeguarding users' personal data. Users have the choice to disable Auto Blocker at any time.”
Samsung added that it plans to fight Epic's claims in court vigorously.
Google's response and Epic's ongoing battle
Google, like Samsung, has not confirmed any involvement in the Auto Blocker feature but has dismissed the lawsuit without merit. Dan Jackson, a spokesperson for Google, said, “This is a meritless lawsuit. Android device makers are free to take their steps to keep their users safe and secure.”
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is framing the lawsuit as a fight for all app developers, not just his company. Sweeney has been vocal in his criticism of major app stores, claiming that they operate like monopolies. He argues that Epic's legal battles aim to create a fairer playing field for all developers.
This isn't Epic's first fight against the app store giants. The company previously sued Apple and Google over their app store practices, alleging that they were monopolies designed to restrict competition. According to Sweeney, he would have settled with Apple and Google privately if he aimed to get Epic special treatment. However, he insists that this meant “selling out all developers.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the spotlight remains on whether Samsung and Google are working together to stifle competition in the app market or if their actions are, as they claim, simply about keeping users safe.
