Epic Games files Australia lawsuit against Google's 'anti-competitive conduct'

Fortnite developer Epic Games Inc. launched legal proceedings in Australia against Alphabet Inc.'s Google LLC, accusing the tech giant of anti-competitive conduct that breaches the country's consumer laws.

Google, which developed the Android operating system, restricts competition in payment processing and app distribution on Google Play Store, resulting in reduced consumer choice and inflated prices while stifling innovation, Epic alleged in a press release.

Google Play Store developers are forced to use Google's in-app payment services that take a 30% commission, according to Epic Games. Consumers are also forced to download apps through the Google Play Store because Google makes it "egregiously difficult" for them to download apps directly onto Android devices, the company further alleged.

"We believe consumers have the right to install apps from sources of their choosing and developers have the right to compete in a fair marketplace," Epic founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said.

The U.S.-based game developer filed a similar lawsuit against Apple Inc. in November 2020 aimed at "seeking fair access and competition that will benefit all consumers." Epic Games' legal battle also includes proceedings underway in the U.S. and U.K. along with an antitrust complaint against Apple in the EU.

Epic Games noted that it is not seeking damages from Google or Apple.