Apple Faces EU Scrutiny After Cancelling Epic Games’ Developer Account
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has caused a stir in the tech community, particularly with Apple and Epic Games. The DMA requires Apple to open third-party stores for iOS devices, in a move to promote competition and innovation. However, tensions escalated when Apple unexpectedly canceled Epic Games’ developer account.
On March 7, Epic Games announced on its official website that Apple had deleted their developer account responsible for bringing “Fortnite” and the Epic Games Store to the iOS platform. The reason cited was not any violation, but rather Epic Games’ public criticism of Apple’s cooperation with the DMA.
In response, Epic Games filed a complaint with EU authorities, prompting an investigation into Apple’s actions. Under pressure, Apple quickly promised to restore the developer account and related qualifications, as Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hailed it as a “huge victory.”
The incident has sparked speculation about Apple’s motives, as the tech giant has long resisted opening up various aspects of its ecosystem, including third-party payment systems and app installations. Given Epic Games’ role in advocating for the EU DMA regulations, many believe Apple’s decision to cancel their account was an attempt to suppress dissent.
The saga continues as the tech industry watches closely to see how Apple will navigate the EU’s scrutiny and the implications for competition and innovation in the digital marketplace.