US Supreme Court denies Google appeal, allowing major Play Store overhaul to proceed

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Google’s attempt to block a sweeping court order that requires significant changes to its Android Play Store — a decision that reinforces a jury’s ruling last year declaring the app marketplace an illegal monopoly.

In a brief, one-sentence decision, the Court declined to grant Google a stay, meaning the tech giant must now begin implementing reforms to its app store by an October 22 deadline. The ruling stems from a 2023 verdict in a landmark antitrust case filed by video game company Epic Games.

U.S. District Judge James Donato had previously ordered Google to open its app ecosystem to greater competition. His directives include allowing third-party app stores and enabling users to access and download apps outside of Google’s walled garden, including directly through the Play Store itself. He also required Google to provide competitors access to its full catalog of Android apps.

Google argued in a filing to the Court that the mandated changes would expose more than 100 million U.S. users to heightened security threats and the risk of downloading malicious or pirated software. It warned the order would force it to act as a distributor for rival app stores, undermining user safety and eroding its control over Android’s ecosystem.

Despite those concerns, the Supreme Court’s denial leaves the district court’s decision in place — at least for now. Google said in a statement that it will comply with the ruling while continuing to challenge both the order and the jury verdict at the highest levels. “The changes ordered by the U.S. District Court will jeopardize users’ ability to safely download apps,” the company said.

The case originated in 2020 when Epic Games, creator of the popular Fortnite game, sued Google for abusing its dominance over app distribution and payment processing on Android. At trial, Epic argued Google’s practices — including the 15-30% commission it collects on in-app purchases — stifled competition and inflated costs for developers and users. A jury sided with Epic in December 2023, finding Google had illegally maintained its monopoly.

Judge Donato’s sweeping injunction, issued in October 2023, aims to dismantle the barriers that protect Google’s Play Store from competition. His ruling highlighted how the company’s control over in-app billing and payments generated billions in profits through commissions, calling it part of a broader pattern of anti-competitive conduct.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney welcomed Monday’s ruling, praising the Supreme Court for enabling more consumer choice. “Without fees, scare screens, and friction,” users will finally have meaningful alternatives to Google’s in-app payment system, he wrote on social media.

The case parallels Epic’s earlier lawsuit against Apple, which saw mixed results. While the iPhone maker was not found to be running a monopoly, it was still ordered to allow developers to direct users to external payment options. Apple was later found in civil contempt for failing to fully comply with that order.

Although the mandated Play Store reforms could dent Google’s profits from app transactions, they are unlikely to severely damage the company’s financial foundation. The bulk of Google’s revenue comes from its dominant search engine and vast digital advertising network — both of which are also facing antitrust scrutiny.

Google is currently battling additional monopoly allegations in two separate cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. A federal judge has already ruled against breaking up Google’s search business, but the government continues to pursue a breakup of the company’s advertising technology empire. Closing arguments in that case are scheduled for November 17 in Alexandria, Virginia.