The new lawsuit makes strong reference to the arguments of the Epic against Google case alleging that an informal agreement between Samsung and Google has prevented the Samsung Galaxy Store from becoming a true competitor to the Google Play store. The lawsuit notes that while the Samsung Store is available on 40 percent of all Android phones, it accounts for only about 1 percent of all Android app downloads.
The lawsuit also draws attention to the timing of Samsung's decision to turn on Auto Blocker by default just as Epic and other third-party app stores were launching on Android. That timing is especially suspicious, according to the lawsuit, in light of Samsung's initial Auto Blocker announcement last year, which left the feature disabled by default because, as Samsung said, “[t]”There are many benefits to intentional offloading, such as greater customization and control over a device's functionality.”
This fact pattern forms the core of Samsung's argument that implementing Auto Blocker by default must have been “a coordinated decision by Google and Samsung to circumvent” the test results. Epic against Google lawsuit. While the lawsuit does not provide any concrete evidence that such an agreement exists, it argues that “in the absence of an agreement between Samsung and Google, it would be irrational for Samsung (or any company in its position) to consolidate the Play Store monopoly.”
In a statement, Samsung said it planned to “vigorously contest Epic Games' baseless claims… The features built into its devices are designed in accordance with Samsung's core principles of security, privacy and user control, and we remain fully committed to safeguard personal data of users.”