Google Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Halt Epic Games App-Store Ruling – 25 Sept 2025 Latest News

Google Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Pause App-Store Order in Epic Games Case — 25 Sept 2025

Washington, September 25, 2025 — Google has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily block a lower-court order requiring the company to open its Play Store to alternative billing systems and app-download methods.

The dispute began in 2020, when Epic Games sued Google for allegedly maintaining a monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app payments. Epic argued that Google forces developers to use its billing system for all purchases, letting it collect commissions of 15–30% on transactions.

Earlier this month, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Epic, ruling that Google must let developers offer alternative billing options and allow consumers to download apps from rival stores or directly from websites. The court said the reforms would promote fair competition and benefit users.

Google counters that enforcing the order immediately would cause billions in losses and jeopardize Android security. The company’s lawyers argue that Play Store safeguards—malware scanning, automatic updates, and secure payments—could be weakened if developers bypass Google’s system.

Google has now asked the Supreme Court to stay the lower-court ruling until its full appeal is heard. The high court is expected to decide by October 17, 2025, whether to grant a temporary pause. Google plans to submit its complete appeal by October 27, 2025.

Epic insists Google’s practices inflate prices and deprive developers of fair revenue. Allowing alternative billing and download methods, Epic argues, will lower costs and expand consumer choice.

Industry experts say the case will set a global precedent, shaping the future of app-store operations and defining the balance between platform security and open competition.