Epic Games has filed a second antitrust lawsuit against Google and Samsung, accusing the tech giants of colluding to restrict third-party app distribution on Samsung devices. At the center of the dispute is Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which is turned on by default and prevents users from installing apps from unauthorized sources, such as those outside of Google Play or the Samsung Galaxy Store. Epic claims this feature is a deliberate attempt to block competition in the Android app distribution market.

The lawsuit, filed in a San Francisco federal court, comes after Epic’s previous legal victory against Google in December 2023, where a jury found that Google’s app store practices harmed competition. Epic alleges that the Auto Blocker was introduced in coordination with Google to undermine the jury’s decision, which forced Google to ease its grip on app distribution. According to Epic, the feature makes it harder for users to install third-party apps, increasing the steps required for installation and discouraging users from completing the process.

Samsung has denied the accusations, stating that the Auto Blocker is designed to protect users from malware and other malicious activity, and users can disable the feature if they choose. Google has also called the lawsuit meritless, arguing that Android device makers are allowed to implement security measures to protect their users. Both companies assert that they support competition and consumer choice.

Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, claims that the Auto Blocker feature was deliberately designed to obstruct competition, making it difficult for other app stores to operate on Samsung devices. He has also raised concerns about Google’s and Samsung’s collaboration, though he admitted that the company currently lacks concrete proof of such coordination. Sweeney noted that previous communications between Google and Samsung revealed efforts to stifle competition in app distribution, which he hopes will be further uncovered in the legal discovery process.

Epic introduced its own mobile app store in August 2024, just before Samsung enabled Auto Blocker by default. The company contends that the number of steps required to bypass the feature deters users from completing the installation process, reducing competition. Samsung, however, maintains that users are informed of their options to disable Auto Blocker during their phone’s initial setup.

Sweeney said that the legal battle is not just about Epic but about creating a fair environment for all developers. He also expressed disappointment in having to sue Samsung, a company that had previously supported Epic’s offerings. While Epic has seen over 10 million mobile app store installations, Sweeney believes that features like Auto Blocker hinder the company’s ability to reach its target of 100 million installations by the end of the year.