The dispute between Apple and Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, has become a major priority for European Union regulators. On Thursday, EU Industry Chief Thierry Breton stated that officials have been urgently tasked with investigating Apple’s actions against Epic Games.
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EU Regulators Escalate Apple-Epic Games Dispute
The issue stems from Apple’s decision to terminate Epic’s developer account, which would prevent Epic from bringing its own app store and games like Fortnite to iPhones and iPads in the EU. Breton warned that under the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules, large tech “gatekeepers” like Apple cannot threaten or silence developers.
In a surprising reversal, Apple has now committed to reinstating Epic’s developer account and allowing the company to comply with the DMA policies. This means Epic will be able to launch its own app store and potentially bring Fortnite back to iOS devices in the European Union after a nearly four-year absence due to a previous dispute over in-app purchases.
The about-face from Apple likely stems from the swift intervention of EU regulators and the company’s desire to avoid potential fines under the DMA, which can reach up to 10% of a company’s annual revenue for non-compliance.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney praised the European Commission’s quick response, stating it sends a strong signal that regulators will act swiftly to enforce the DMA and hold tech giants accountable.
This episode highlights the growing regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions against big tech companies in the EU, as exemplified by the recent $2 billion fine imposed on Apple for allegedly restricting music streaming rivals on the App Store.
