Google’s Epic Deadline: October 29th
▼ Summary
– Google’s deadline to open its app store and allow alternative payments was originally set for October 22, 2025, following Epic’s legal victories.
– Both Epic and Google successfully requested a one-week delay, moving the enforcement deadline to October 29, 2025.
– The reason for the delay is unclear, as public documents from both parties do not mention why it was agreed upon.
– Google has stated it will comply with legal obligations while continuing its appeal, expecting changes to Google Play Billing requirements.
– Google plans to file a Supreme Court appeal by October 27, which could potentially grant a stay and further delay the injunction.
A major deadline in the ongoing legal battle between Google and Epic Games has been extended, giving the tech giant another week before it must implement significant changes to its Google Play Store policies. The new enforcement date for the court-ordered injunction is now October 29th, 2025, following a joint request from both companies that was approved by US District Court Judge James Donato.
Originally set for October 22nd, the deadline would have compelled Google to open its app store ecosystem, cease mandating the use of Google Play Billing for transactions, and permit developers to set their own pricing structures. This stems from Epic’s repeated courtroom victories, which challenged Google’s control over in-app payments. The surprise one-week postponement, however, leaves industry observers questioning the motives behind the mutual agreement.
Public court documents do not clarify why Google sought the extra time or why Epic consented to the delay. This is particularly puzzling given that Epic CEO Tim Sweeney had previously hailed the original date as a landmark moment for developer freedom. He proclaimed it the day developers would gain the legal right to direct Google Play users in the US to alternative payment systems, free from extra fees and obstructive warnings.
Google has publicly stated its intention to follow the court’s ruling while it pursues further appeals. Assuming the injunction takes effect on October 29th, the company will need to update its policies and remove language that currently insists on the use of its proprietary billing system for Android apps distributed through the Play Store.
There remains a possibility for another delay if the Supreme Court intervenes. Google has indicated it plans to file an appeal with the nation’s highest court by October 27th, just two days before the new deadline. A grant of a stay from the Supreme Court would put the entire injunction on hold, potentially prolonging this landmark antitrust case even further.
(Source: The Verge)
