Y Combinator Co-Founder Paul Graham expressed concerns about Apple's actions after the tech giant terminated Epic Games' developer account due to critical tweets from its CEO, Tim Sweeney. Apple's control over businesses using its platform, including a 30% fee on digital goods, has led to conflicts with companies like Netflix and Amazon. Despite legal battles and regulatory pressures, Apple maintains a strong grip on developers. The European Union's Digital Markets Act aims to level the playing field, and Epic Games' developer account was reinstated after challenges. Graham questioned whether Apple's power has corrupted the company, while consumers continue to have a favorable perception of the brand.
Apple terminated Epic Games' developer account following a series of email exchanges, citing Epic's violation of contractual provisions and criticism of Apple's compliance plan with Europe's Digital Markets Act. Epic had planned to develop an Epic Games Store iOS app and a Fortnite native app for distribution through that store. Apple's move has sparked concerns about anticompetitive behavior, with EU regulators reportedly considering whether it represents a breach of compliance.
The European Union is investigating Apple's decision to terminate Epic Games' iOS developer account, citing concerns about potential violations of EU regulations aimed at preventing dominant market players from stifling competition. Epic Games claims that Apple's actions violate the Digital Markets Act and hinder fair competition on iOS devices, while Apple asserts that it had the right to terminate the developer account based on court rulings from their antitrust legal battle.
The European Union is investigating Apple's decision to terminate Epic Games' developer account, citing potential breaches of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Digital Services Act (DSA), and Platform-to-Business Regulation (P2B). Epic accused Apple of violating the DMA by closing its developer account, and the EU is evaluating whether Apple's actions raise compliance doubts with regard to the DSA and P2B. Apple defended its decision, citing a US court ruling and claiming that Epic breached its contractual obligations. The EU's regulations require Apple to permit third-party app stores and software downloads, and failure to comply could result in significant penalties.
The European Commission is investigating Apple's decision to terminate Epic Games' developer account under the Digital Markets Act, with Apple claiming Epic's recurrent untrustworthy actions as the reason. This move has thwarted Epic's plan to launch an Epic Games Store on iOS in the EU and bring Fortnite back to the iPhone, in line with new EU regulations allowing for alternative app marketplaces on iOS. Epic argues that Apple's account termination violates the DMA and significantly limits competition on iOS devices, while Apple's action is seen as an attempt to eliminate a major potential rival to the App Store. This is the latest development in a legal conflict that began in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store for bypassing its payment system rules.
Apple has terminated Epic's iOS developer account less than a month after approving it, preventing the Fortnite developer from bringing its Epic Games Store to iOS devices. Epic claims this is a violation of the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which requires companies to allow third-party storefronts on their devices. Apple cited public attacks on its policies by Epic CEO Tim Sweeney as justification for the termination. The ongoing dispute between the two companies shows no signs of resolution, with both parties unwilling to compromise.
Epic Games claims that Apple terminated its reinstated developer account in the EU, hindering its plans to launch a competing app marketplace in the region, citing a tweet criticizing Apple's proposed Digital Markets Act compliance plan as a reason. Apple accuses Epic of breaching contractual obligations and being untrustworthy, referencing a court ruling from 2021. The legal battle between the two companies continues to escalate, with Apple asserting its right to terminate developer accounts that violate its guidelines.
Apple has terminated Epic Games Sweden AB's developer account, stalling Epic's plans to launch its own app store on iOS in the EU. This move comes after Epic announced its intention to bring Fortnite back to iOS via a third-party app store in the European Union. Epic accuses Apple of undermining competition and choice on iOS devices and plans to continue fighting for true competition and choice on iOS devices in Europe and around the world.
