U.S. District Judge James Donato ordered Google to remove anticompetitive friction from the Google Play Store, requiring the company to improve search discoverability and simplify third-party app installations.

Key Points

• Judge Donato mandated that Google fix search results for third-party app stores, requiring at least 70% accuracy for relevant user queries by August 20.
• The court ordered the removal of unnecessary "View" buttons and interstitial banners that created extra steps for users attempting to install rival app stores.
• Google must treat third-party storefronts like standard applications, allowing for direct "Install" functionality rather than forcing additional navigation.
• Aptoide Games became the first rival store to launch within the U.S. Google Play Store on August 10, utilizing the new Play Catalog Access program.
• Google maintains that its previous friction points were intended for user safety, though the court ruled these measures functioned as anticompetitive barriers.

Why it Matters

This ruling establishes a strict, testable standard for how tech giants must implement court-ordered competition remedies. By rejecting "safety" as a justification for unnecessary user friction, the court is actively shaping the accessibility of alternative app ecosystems on Android devices.