Google loses appeal over app store overhaul in Epic Games case

In a significant legal development, Google has lost its appeal against a federal judge's ruling in the antitrust case involving Epic Games, the creator of the popular video game Fortnite. The court rejected Google's argument that the trial judge had made legal errors that unfairly favored Epic Games. The case centers around Google's app store policies, which Epic Games has challenged as anticompetitive. The judge's initial ruling required Google to allow app developers to use alternative payment systems, a move that would undermine Google's control over in-app purchases and the revenue it generates from them. Google had appealed the decision, but the court has now upheld the trial judge's ruling, dealing a blow to the tech giant's efforts to maintain its dominant position in the app ecosystem. This decision is seen as a significant victory for Epic Games and could have broader implications for the power and practices of major tech companies in the digital marketplace.