Epic Sues Samsung Over OneUI’s ‘Auto Blocker’ Setting

Epic is suing Samsung, saying its telephones’ UI is constructed to limit competitors, specifically the Epic Video games Retailer. Samsung’s newest OneUI replace, 6.1.1, was constructed on Android 14 and blocked app sideloading by default on the newest telephones. Now, Epic is suing each Google and Samsung for “blocking each different retailer from competing on a degree enjoying subject.”

In its lawsuit, Epic argues that Samsung and Google have been in cahoots to maintain the Play Retailer dominant and put its personal Galaxy Retailer “on the again burner.” The writer claimed, “Google known as on its longtime collaborator Samsung to defang these aggressive threats and renew the moat defending the Play Retailer from competitors” when it restricted sideloading separate app shops by default in OneUI. 

The case will hinge on whether or not there was actually collusion between Google and Samsung. Epic pointed to how Auto Blocker was not default on telephones earlier than Google Play Retailer was labeled a monopoly. The “Auto Blocker” setting on Samsung units creates a wall between customers and third-party app shops. Whereas the function was non-obligatory on older units (it’s off by default in case you’re updating from a earlier model of OneUI to six.1.1), it got here pre-enabled on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 telephones the Korean tech big launched earlier this yr. We nonetheless must see if Samsung will allow Auto Blocker by default on its newest Samsung Galaxy S24 FE devices.

CEO Tim Sweeney instructed journalists (by way of The Verge) that he hopes extra proof of Google and Samsung’s alleged collusion emerges through the discovery course of.

Epic alleges this ends in an “onerous 21-step” course of for downloading an app outdoors the Google Play Retailer or Samsung Galaxy Retailer. Nonetheless, a part of that course of described by Epic includes failing to launch the Epic Video games Retailer with out first going via the comparatively easy technique of disabling Auto Blocker via Settings and Safety and Privateness. Nonetheless, that doesn’t detract from the character of those supposed darkish patterns, which disincentivize customers to load exterior app shops. In any case, Epic might know a thing or two about dark patterns.

In an e-mail assertion, a Samsung spokesperson mentioned the corporate plans to battle Epic’s lawsuit.

“The options built-in into our units are designed in accordance with Samsung’s core rules of safety, privateness, and person management, and we stay absolutely dedicated to safeguarding customers’ private knowledge,” the spokesperson mentioned. “Customers have the selection to disable Auto Blocker at any time.”

Gizmodo contacted Google for remark, however we didn’t instantly hear again. 

Epic Video games Retailer is technically back on Android and iOS—although the latter is simply accessible within the EU. Nonetheless, even when Epic was gearing up for its anticipated relaunch of Fortnite on telephones, the writer and Sweeney declared they’d removed their services from Samsung’s units. On the time, Epic alleged Samsung labored with Google “to restrain competitors out there for Android app distribution,” echoing its new lawsuit. 

Early in 2023, knowledge sleuths uncovered methods Android 14 could restrict users from sideloading older variations of apps. The most recent model of OneUI one-upped Google by hindering customers from downloading separate app shops by default. You may undo the auto blocker function via system settings, however Epic argues that this limitation is supposed to frustrate customers into returning to the Play Retailer. Epic identified that Samsung units are the biggest market share for Android telephones within the U.S.

Epic consistently references this monopoly in its 39-page lawsuit. The writer mentioned Google knew that the greater than 15 steps to put in Fortnite on Android had been purposefully “abysmal.” This was on account of an “Unknown Sources” set up circulation requiring a number of workarounds. Epic says the Auto Blocker function is like Unknown Sources because it requires customers to undergo a number of further steps simply to put in the apps they wish to, below the guise of safety. 

As a recap, Epic started this kerfuffle back in 2020 after it created a solution to make in-app purchases within the Epic Video games Retailer attainable, circumventing Apple’s App Retailer and Google’s Play Retailer insurance policies. Each tech giants kicked Epic off their platforms, and the writer sued Google and Apple individually. The courtroom ultimately sided with Apple, saying that it wasn’t a monopoly however required the tech big to open up its ecosystem and permit in-app gross sales outdoors the App Retailer. Evaluate that to December of final yr, when a jury determined Google had a monopoly on Android app stores.