Apple Reverses Decision to Ban Epic Games’ App Store on iOS in Europe
In a surprising turn of events, Apple has decided to reverse its decision to ban Epic Games, the creator of the popular game “Fortnite,” from launching its own app store on iOS in Europe. This comes just a day after European Union officials announced an investigation into the matter, marking the first major test of Europe’s new digital competition rules that recently went into effect.
The reversal by Apple means that Epic Games will now be able to bring “Fortnite” back to iPhones in Europe, much to the delight of its dedicated fanbase. The game has been unavailable on iOS since 2020 when a bitter dispute erupted between the two companies over Apple’s developer terms.
In a blog post, Epic Games expressed its satisfaction with Apple’s decision, stating, “Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account. This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable.”
Apple, on the other hand, explained that it reached this decision after engaging in conversations with Epic Games, during which Epic committed to adhering to Apple’s new EU-focused policies. “Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program,” Apple stated.
This development comes in response to the European Commission’s request for information from Apple regarding the allegations made against them. Thierry Breton, a top EU commissioner, emphasized the importance of addressing such issues promptly, stating, “There is no room for threats by gatekeepers to silence developers.” He also identified Epic’s complaint as a matter of priority.
The new EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandates that app stores allow app downloads from third-party sources. Apple’s solution to comply with this rule is a system that enables developers to create self-contained app marketplaces within iOS apps.
Epic Games had filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing Apple of revoking its developer account due to Epic’s history of criticizing the tech giant. Another alleged reason for the account suspension was Epic’s deliberate violation of Apple’s terms to expose what they believed to be anticompetitive behavior. Emails published by Epic Games appeared to support these claims, with Apple leaders seemingly expecting Epic to breach their store terms again. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney assured Apple that they would comply, but Apple still revoked their developer account.
In response to the published emails, Apple justified its actions by referencing US court rulings that affirmed their right to terminate Epic’s accounts for any reason. However, it seems that Apple has now reconsidered its stance in light of the pushback from EU officials. This decision paves the way for “Fortnite” to once again be available to players on iOS devices in Europe.
This reversal by Apple serves as a significant moment in the ongoing battle between app developers and tech giants over control and fair competition. It demonstrates the potential impact of Europe’s new digital competition rules and sends a clear message that gatekeepers will be held accountable for their actions. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for regulators to ensure a level playing field for all developers and consumers alike.