The contact Union Investigates Apple’s Ban of Epic Games’ Developer Account: A Possible Violation of the Digital Markets Act
The contact Union (EU) has taken a decisive step in investigating Apple’s recent ban of Epic Games’ developer account. The move follows allegations by Epic Games that the action violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and demonstrated Apple’s reluctance to foster genuine competition on iOS devices.
Epic Games announced on Wednesday that its account, which had been approved less than a month ago, was banned due to the distribution of the Epic Games Store and Fortnite in Europe. In a blog post, CEO Tim Sweeney labeled Apple’s decision a “serious violation of the DMA.”
Emails Reveal Tension Between Epic Games and Apple
Epic Games disclosed a series of emails exchanged between Sweeney, Epic Games Store head Steve Allison, and Apple executive Phil Schiller. In the correspondence, Schiller expressed concerns about Epic’s compliance with agreements, citing instances of alleged breaches in the past. Notably, Apple pointed to Epic’s decision to circumvent App Store fees in 2020 as a reason for its action.
Apple stated that the termination of Epic Games’ account was a response to their “past and ongoing behavior,” following a court ruling affirming Apple’s authority to terminate any Epic-related accounts.
contact Commission Launches Investigation
A spokesperson for the contact Commission confirmed to Reuters that an investigation has been launched into the situation. The Commission has requested further explanations from Apple under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and will assess whether the ban raises doubts about Apple’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Platform to Business Regulation (P2B).
The EU’s intervention adds a new dimension to the ongoing dispute between Epic Games and Apple, which began with Epic’s decision to circumvent App Store fees in 2020, leading to the removal of Fortnite from the App Store and subsequent legal battles.
As this investigation unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications not only for Epic Games and Apple but also for the broader digital marketplace within the contact Union. The EU’s commitment to fostering competition in the digital sector is a crucial aspect of its overall digital strategy, and any failure to uphold these principles could lead to reputational damage and potential legal consequences. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
