Google CEO Sundar Pichai is gearing up for a second round of testimony in a major antitrust trial, where he will defend Google’s app store practices against claims made by “Fortnite” maker Epic Games. The trial, taking place in San Francisco federal court, centers on allegations that Google maintains an illegal monopoly over the Android app marketplace through its “Play” store.
Epic Games, represented by its attorneys, is set to question Pichai for up to an hour. The focus is likely to be on Google’s payment strategies, including the controversial “Project Hug,” which Epic alleges to be a “bribe and block” scheme aimed at discouraging companies from creating their own app stores. Notably, Pichai may face inquiries about payments to major developers like Activision-Blizzard and Riot Games dating back to 2020.
In response, Google’s attorneys are expected to question Pichai for around 30 minutes, delving into topics such as competition from other app stores. Google contends that its payments were necessary to fend off challenges from Apple’s App Store and similar marketplaces.
Sundar Pichai has been at the forefront of Google’s efforts to address various regulatory challenges. The app store antitrust trial is anticipated to last approximately four weeks, concluding in early December. Other key figures, including Google CFO Ruth Porat and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, are also slated to testify.
The trial, stemming from a 2020 lawsuit when “Fortnite” was removed from the Google Play store, has revealed significant details, including Google’s substantial incentives to Activision-Blizzard. The ongoing legal battle is part of a broader landscape of tech giants facing increased scrutiny and regulatory challenges.
