Alphabet’s Google has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt parts of a lower court order that would require major changes to its Play app store, as it prepares to appeal a lawsuit brought by “Fortnite” maker Epic Games. Google said the order was “unprecedented” and would cause reputational harm, security risks, and competitive disadvantages if enforced.
Epic sued Google in 2020, accusing it of monopolizing app distribution and in-app payment systems on Android devices in violation of U.S. antitrust law. A San Francisco jury sided with Epic in 2023, leading U.S. District Judge James Donato to issue an injunction requiring Google to allow rival app stores and external links to alternative billing systems within Play.
Google argued in its filing that the changes would affect more than 100 million U.S. Android users and 500,000 developers, asking the Supreme Court to decide by October 17, 2025, whether to delay the order. The company said it plans to file its full appeal by October 27, 2025. Epic countered that Google relies on “flawed security claims” to justify control, adding, “The court’s injunction should go into effect as ordered so consumers and developers can benefit from competition, choices and lower prices.”
