In the midst of a regulatory debacle, Apple no longer wants Epic to stick its nose in its business

Apple is visibly irritated by Epic Games’ constant reprimands. In a request sent to an American judge, the apple brand considers that the publisher of Fortnite look for ” micromanage your business operations ” in a way to “ increase your own profitability “.

We must first go back to 2020 to understand the beginnings of this affair which seems endless. At the time, Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple, which prevented it from moving outside of the App Store to offer in-app purchases on iOS. After a long trial, it was the Cupertino company that emerged victorious, apart from one count. The company appealed, but the Supreme Court rejected its request. As a result, it was recently forced to change its US app store policy to allow developers to promote payment alternatives.

But Apple has not abandoned its famous tax on in-app purchases. It continues to charge a 27% commission on transactions made outside the App Store. A rate which drops to 12% for small developers.

Apple strikes back

It is precisely this practice that has enraged Epic Games, as well as Spotify and even Match Group, who consider it “ bad faith ” And ” scandalous “. The video game publisher did not want to stop there. Last month, he went to a federal judge demanding that Apple be punished for its new policy.

According to Epic, these links are “ commercially unusable » due to the measures put in place by the apple brand. “ Apple’s new system taxes, regulates, restricts and weighs on in-app links, which direct users to alternative purchasing mechanisms on a developer’s website », denounced the company.

It’s now Apple’s turn to step up to the plate. She in turn asks that Epic Games’ request be rejected, and criticizes an attempt by Epic to put the ” Apple tools and technologies available to developers for free “. Apple considers that the numerous actions brought by the publisher are self-serving.

A turbulent start to the year for Apple

For now, Epic Games has not responded to this new initiative from the Apple brand. Tensions between the two parties do not seem to be easing, despite the possibility of reuniting soon Fortnite on iOS within the European Union.

The start of the year is particularly tumultuous for Apple. Forced to review its economic model in Europe under the Digital Markets Act, the Californian giant must now face a vast antitrust complaint in its country of origin. The American Department of Justice accuses it of abuse of a dominant position in the smartphone sector.

Source : Reuters