How Google neutralized tech's loudest antitrust critic with a single settlement clause - Silicon Canals

"Under its provisions, Epic must reportedly make public statements affirming that Google and Android's platform changes are procompetitive and advocate for those changes in good faith, according to The Verge's review of the settlement term sheet. The restriction isn't a temporary cooling-off period. Reports indicate that Google plans to complete its fee-reduction changes by late 2027, with the gag provision running for years after that deadline."

"Epic has reportedly funded the Coalition for App Fairness, an advocacy group that served as a policy instrument against both Google and Apple. Under the new settlement, Epic can only direct Coalition efforts toward Apple going forward. Google, as of this week, is off the target list."

Epic Games and Google settled their years-long antitrust battle with terms that include significant restrictions on Epic's ability to criticize Google. The settlement requires Epic to make public statements supporting Google and Android's platform changes as procompetitive and to advocate for those changes in good faith. The gag provision extends for years beyond Google's planned completion of fee-reduction changes in late 2027. Additionally, Epic must redirect its funding of the Coalition for App Fairness away from Google, focusing advocacy efforts solely on Apple. The commercial terms include replacing Google's flat 30% Play Store fee with a tiered structure offering lower rates for various purchase types, with the Epic Game Store receiving preferential treatment.

Read at Silicon Canals