Apple and Epic Games are still at war over App Store policies, and Apple’s latest move has sparked outrage from the Fortnite creator.
Apple has revoked the developer account of Epic Games in Sweden, which Epic Games had created to take advantage of the new European law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to limit the domination of large technology companies. Epic Games claims thatApple is violating the Digital Markets Act and preventing fair competition on iOS devices.
The conflict between Apple and Epic Games began in 2020, when Epic Games tried to circumvent Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases by introducing its own payment system in Fortnite, one of the most popular games popular apps from the App Store. Apple responded by removing Fortnite and other Epic Games apps from the App Storeaccusing Epic Games of violating the store’s rules. Epic Games then filed a lawsuit against Apple for violating antitrust laws, claiming that Apple was abusing its monopoly power in the app distribution and payment markets.
Epic Games still not allowed to return to iPhones
The legal battle is still ongoing, but Epic Games hoped to find a way to bring Fortnite back to iOS users in the EU using the DMA, which took effect in January 2024. The DMA requires Apple and other “gatekeepers” that they allow third-party application stores and payment systems on their platforms, and that they provide fair and transparent conditions for application developers.
Epic Games had created a developer account in Sweden, where the DMA is enforced, and requested a consultation with Apple to restore its apps to the App Store under the new law. However, Apple rejected Epic Games’ request and terminated its Swedish developer account, effectively blocking Epic Games from the App Store in the EU.
Apple claimed that Epic Games violated its agreements with developers and threatened its ecosystem by criticizing the DMA’s proposed rules. The CEO of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, notably published on X (formerly Twitter) that Apple’s DMA rules were “a sham” and “a trap” for app developers.
Epic Games has not yet said its last word
Epic Games denounced Apple’s decision as a “serious violation of the DMA” and a sign that Apple did not intend to “enable true competition on iOS devices.” Epic Games stated thatApple was eliminating one of its biggest rivals and intimidating other developers who might challenge Apple’s practices.
To prove its good faith, Epic Games even shared its correspondence with Apple on its corporate blog, where it shows that it agreed to comply with all of Apple’s conditions after requesting consultation from the DMA.
In response to Epic’s claims, Apple shared the following statement: “ Epic’s blatant violation of its contractual obligations to Apple led the courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate “any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under control of Epic Games, at all times and in the sole discretion of Apple”. In light of Epic’s past and present behavior, Apple has chosen to exercise this right “.
Apple’s approach therefore obviously raises questions about the effectiveness and application of the DMA, which is supposed to prevent big tech companies from abusing their market power and stifling innovation and competition. Will the European Union step in and hold Apple accountable for its actions, or will Apple continue to defy the law and dominate the app economy? What is certain is that the saga is not close to being over. Meanwhile, Apple is also accused of monopoly and could face justice over an alleged abuse of a dominant position with its iCloud storage service.
