The ongoing dispute between tech giants Apple and Epic Games has caught the attention of European regulators, as the European Commission has posed questions to Apple about its decision to ban Epic Games from introducing its game store on iPhones and iPads in Europe.
Epic Games, the developer behind the popular Fortnite video game, recently had a new developer account it created in Sweden terminated by Apple. The company had planned to use this account to integrate Fortnite with its online marketplace platform. This move comes as Epic Games aims to capitalize on the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect on Thursday and aims to increase competition in the digital marketplace.
In response to the European Commission’s inquiries, Apple reiterated its stance that Epic Games has violated its contractual obligations, leading to the decision to terminate the developer account. Apple defended its actions, stating that it has the right to terminate any or all of Epic Games’ subsidiaries or affiliates under its control as a result of the breach.
The European Commission’s questioning of Apple in this matter signals a larger scrutiny of tech companies and their market practices in the digital economy. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for how Apple and other tech giants operate within the European Union. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.