Epic Games has taken legal action against Samsung, claiming that the tech giant is deliberately obstructing the download of its popular game, Fortnite, on certain Samsung mobile devices. The company alleges that downloading the game requires users to navigate through a complicated process of 21 steps, which includes encountering multiple security warnings and adjusting device settings.
Epic argues that this cumbersome downloading procedure has resulted in nearly half of users abandoning the download before completion. The root of the issue, according to Epic, lies in Samsung’s Auto Blocker feature, which is automatically enabled on newer devices. While Auto Blocker is intended to enhance security by preventing app installations from unverified sources, Epic contends that it disproportionately impacts Fortnite downloads and violates competition laws.
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In response, Samsung has dismissed Epic’s allegations as “baseless,” stating that it will “vigorously contest” the claims. The company emphasizes that users have the option to disable the Auto Blocker and maintains that the feature is crucial for ensuring user security and privacy. Samsung added that it promotes market competition and consumer choice through its features.
Fortnite cannot be found on Samsung’s or Google’s official app stores, compelling users to download it via Epic’s own platform. This necessity triggers Auto Blocker, causing security warnings despite the app being legitimate. Epic asserts that both Samsung and Google recognize Fortnite’s security and should not display warnings.
This legal dispute follows Epic’s previous confrontations with Google and Apple over their app store policies. After recently winning a case against Google regarding alleged monopolistic practices, Epic remains focused on advocating for a more equitable environment for developers. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing legal challenges, asserting that the pursuit of fairness for all developers remains paramount, even if it could have been more financially advantageous to avoid these battles.
