Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Google allegedly tried to buy off Samsung to curb Galaxy Store growth
July 02, 2025
Yesterday, 36 states and Washington, D.C. filed a joint antitrust suit againstGoogle. We’ve already covered the news in-depthhereandhere, so be sure to catch up on that if you haven’t already.
Interestingly, this suit brings to light some information we hadn’t heard until now (viaArsTechnica). Obviously, the suit mostly focuses on Google’s mandated Play Store commissions, which used to be a flat 30% for everyone. However, the suit also focuses on Google’s alleged attempts to use its influence to stymie the efforts of rival app stores on Android.
Related:Android apps on Windows gives us what Google promised all along
Most egregiously, the suit contends that Google allegedly offeredSamsung“myriad benefits and concessions to prevent Samsung’s Galaxy Store from being built out.” This would be a bold but unsurprising move by Google considering Samsung’s dominance in the smartphone market. With millions of Samsung phones out there and the Galaxy brand being essentially synonymous with Android for many consumers, its store posed a huge threat to the Play Store.
Google allegedly tries to stop Galaxy Store success
Google allegedly offered Samsung exclusive access to apps and games, promoted events on the Play Store, and lucrative YouTube ad spots. The suit even contends Google may have offered to “white label” the Play Store with the Galaxy Store branding.
It also allegedly offered large sums of cash. However, this would have been a replacement for revenue sharing on the Play Store, not a bribe. Interestingly, Google probably didn’t want to offer straight percentages because that would show Samsung just how lucrative the Play Store really is.
Now, none of this is illegal. However, if it ends up being true, it does suggest that Google doesn’t truly believe in its claims that Android is an open platform on which anyone can compete. This information suggests the opposite: if anyone actually becomes a competitor to the Play Store, Google steps in and asserts its dominance.
It will be very interesting to see what other behind-the-scenes tidbits come out of this anti-trust suit.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
