Google has revealed the potential costs and consequences of allowing third-party app stores like the Epic Games Store to operate within the Google Play Store. The integration process would take 12 to 18 months and cost between $60 and $137 million to develop and maintain the necessary technical infrastructure.
Breaking down the costs, Google estimates that allowing third-party app stores access to Google Play apps would cost between $27.5 million and $66.9 million and take 12 to 16 months. Enabling users to transfer ownership of their Android apps to a third-party store would require between $1.7 million and $2.4 million and 12 months. Integrating third-party app stores within Google Play would cost between $32.1 and $67.7 million and take between 12 and 16 months. Additionally, an undisclosed amount would be needed to review apps and updates from these third-party stores.
These projections are based on the hypothetical scenario of Google opening its own Android app store and selling other competing app stores, like the Epic Games store. This development stems from Epic Games winning a lawsuit against Google in December, where a jury ruled that Google Play app and billing practices are illegal monopolies. The final decision is pending, but the request for third-party app stores was one of Epic’s demands.
Despite the significant financial implications, Google emphasizes that the risks to user security and its reputation are also crucial considerations. The company warns that allowing malicious app stores to mix legitimate apps from Google with malware or pirated apps from their own catalog could harm users and developers. Google also points out regulatory and compliance risks that Android app developers could face if third-party stores are integrated. Moreover, Google believes it should be able to collect fees from these third-party app stores if forced to implement the changes.
Google argues that these solutions would necessitate a massive redesign of the Play Store and Android, negatively impacting users, developers, and the Android ecosystem as a whole. Epic Games will have an opportunity to challenge Google’s estimates and present a rebuttal, with a final court hearing scheduled for August 14.
In conclusion, Google’s detailed breakdown of the costs and implications of integrating third-party app stores within the Google Play Store sheds light on the complex challenges and risks involved in such a move. The outcome of the ongoing legal battle between Google and Epic Games will likely have significant implications for the future of app distribution on the Android platform.
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