US judge orders Google to open up Google Play to rivals

A federal judge has ordered Google to open its app store to rivals and give Android users more choice when it comes to downloading apps. 

Judge James Donato issued his final ruling in the Epic and Google saga on Monday, detailing how Google has to change how it operates Google Play.

According to the filing, Google is not allowed to pay developers to launch their apps exclusively on Google Play starting November 1 for the next three years. The company also can’t force developers to use Google Play’s billing system and must allow them to notify users of other ways to pay. 

Google also must also permit third-party Android app stores to access the Google Play Store’s catalog of apps and must carry third-party apps in its app store. 

In response to the ruling, Google said it will file an appeal and ask the courts to pause the ordered changes, arguing that the changes would “undercut Android’s ability to compete with Apple’s iOS.”