SAN FRANCISCO, California – Epic, the developer behind the popular game Fortnite, has filed a new antitrust lawsuit against Google and Samsung, accusing them of unlawfully conspiring to hinder third-party app stores. This lawsuit comes four years after Epic’s previous legal victory against Google for operating an illegal app store monopoly.

The focus of this new legal action centers around Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which automatically prevents users from installing apps from sources other than Google and Samsung’s app stores. Epic contends that there is no current process for rival app stores to become authorized sources on Samsung devices.

Epic had initially filed lawsuits against Google and Apple in 2020, before launching its own mobile app store, the Epic Games Store. The company’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, alleges that Samsung altered its Auto Blocker feature just before the launch of the Epic Games Store, making it challenging for users to install competing apps on their new devices.

According to Epic, the process to disable Auto Blocker on a Samsung phone now involves an overly complex 21-step procedure, discouraging users from attempting to download third-party app stores. Sweeney argues that the purpose of Auto Blocker is not to protect against malware, as claimed by Samsung, but to stifle competition in the app store market.

Despite these allegations, Sweeney admits that he does not have concrete evidence of collusion between Google and Samsung. However, he hopes that the legal discovery process will reveal any such agreements. Epic’s latest lawsuit is framed as a broader effort to advocate for all app developers, rather than solely serving the interests of the company.

In response to the legal action, Samsung has highlighted that users have the option to turn off the Auto Blocker feature during the initial setup of their devices. The company emphasizes that the default setting for Auto Blocker is activated during the setup process but can be easily switched off by users if desired.

Epic’s legal challenges against Google and Samsung indicate a growing concern over the barriers imposed by tech giants on third-party app stores. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for the app store ecosystem and the level of competition in the market. Epic is seeking a jury trial for its latest lawsuit, as it continues to push for greater access and fairness for app developers in the industry.