{
  "id": 875341,
  "title": "Google will make rival Android app stores easier to find after judge says process is ‘not acceptable’ yet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/google-will-make-rival-android-app-stores-easier-to-find-after-judge",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-14T13:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "9to5Google",
    "slug": "9to5google",
    "url": "https://9to5google.com/2026/08/14/google-play-third-party-android-app-stores-changes-judge/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A judge in Google's ongoing court battle has declared the current state of accessing third-party Android app stores on Google Play \"not acceptable.\" The first third-party store, Aptoide Games, became available for download on Google Play earlier this week. However, the process to find these stores is complicated, requiring either a direct link or specific search phrases. Judge Donato expressed dissatisfaction with search terms like \"store for apps\" not yielding third-party stores, stating that every variation even 70% correctly phrased should display these stores. Google has been given a week to make these necessary changes, with the judge also criticizing the \"are you looking for\" banner as unnecessary friction.",
  "summary": "Following the arrival of third-party Android app stores on Google Play earlier this week, a judge in Google’s ongoing court battle has said that the current state is “not acceptable,” and Google will make changes as a result.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Android Police",
        "title": "Expect easier access to alternative Android app stores next week",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/expect-easier-access-to-alternative-android-app-stores-next-week",
        "published": "2026-08-14T17:02:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}