Yesterday, Epic sued Samsung for One UI 6.1.1’s Auto Blocker characteristic. In its lawsuit, the corporate alleged that Auto Blocker was “deliberately crafted” in coordination with Google to pre-emptively undermine the ruling in Epic’s court docket instances in opposition to Google for app sideloading. Epic thus made Google a celebration to the go well with. Whereas Samsung is staying mum on the matter, Google has publicly denied collaboration with Samsung on it.
Google’s Head of Android Safety and Privateness, David Kleidermacher, referred to as Epic’s newest lawsuit a “meritless and harmful” transfer. Additional, he says that Google didn’t request that Samsung create its Auto Blocker characteristic.
David defends Google’s safety practices for the Android platform, mentioning that Google and the safety group have lengthy warned customers about the actual dangers related to downloading apps immediately from the net for sideloading functions. Governments worldwide are stated to have requested extra options to assist additional shield customers from the hazards of sideloaded apps.
David additionally mentions Google’s personal security characteristic, Play Shield, which checks for dangerous apps on a tool no matter their supply.
Wrapping it up, he mentions that Android gadget makers are free to innovate and design extra security options for his or her units. Epic’s lawsuit places its personal company pursuits above consumer protections.
However, when The Verge reached out to Samsung for feedback, the corporate wouldn’t verify or deny whether or not it labored with Google on the characteristic. It additionally wouldn’t verify or deny whether or not Auto Blocker really scans an app for threats or suspicious exercise. Right here is the corporate’s full assertion as offered by a Samsung spokesperson:
Opposite to Epic Sport’s assertions, Samsung actively fosters market competitors, enhances shopper alternative, and conducts its operations pretty.
The options built-in into our units are designed in accordance with Samsung’s core ideas of safety, privateness, and consumer management, and we stay totally dedicated to safeguarding customers’ private information. Customers have the selection to disable Auto Blocker at any time.
We plan to vigorously contest Epic Sport’s baseless claims.
It is going to be as much as the courts to resolve the precise state of affairs, particularly since Epic has no proof that Samsung and Google are colluding on the characteristic. If the declare does transfer ahead, all the businesses concerned should make disclosures as a part of the authorized discovery course of, and that’s when Epic hopes to floor the collusion. We’ll have to attend and see how this performs out within the coming days.