Apple has reversed its decision to ban Epic Games’ developer account after European Union officials came forward they looked at the issue. The likely turnaround means that Epic will be able to bring it Own app store for iPhones and iPads in the EU. The publisher will also be able to deliver more easily Fortnite back on those devices on the block, nearly four years after Apple pulled the game from the App Store due to an in-app purchase battle (a decision protracted legal battle between two parties).
“After discussions with Epic, they have committed to following the rules, including the DMA [Digital Markets Act] policies,” an Apple spokesperson told Engadget. “As a result, Epic Sweden AB has been allowed to re-sign the developer agreement and has been accepted into the Apple Developer Program.”
“Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account,” Epic said wrote in an updated blog post. “This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will move quickly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable. We are moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store. Fortnite Back to iOS in Europe. Forward!”
apple Killed Epic’s developer account claimed earlier this week that Epic would not honor related contractual agreements. His lawyers called Epic “provably untrustworthy.”
The sudden about-face certainly has nothing to do with reports that EU regulators plan to question Apple over the ban. Epic claimed the decision was a “serious violation of the DMA.” Under the law that just went into effect, Apple requires Allow third-party app stores on iOS in the EU. However, Apple still forces companies that want to have their own app marketplace on the iPhone to follow its rules.
Also this week EU fined Apple About $2 billion to prevent third-party music streaming apps in the App Store from telling users they can subscribe to their services elsewhere for a lower price after signing up through iOS. It was the EU’s first fine against Apple and the bloc’s third-largest financial penalty ever. Apple is appealing the fine.
Given the tougher penalties companies face for failing to comply with the DMA — up to 10 percent of their annual revenue — and the EU’s willingness to use its power if necessary, it’s not too surprising that Apple backed out of the latest scrap. With Epic. Indeed, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney he said Apple backtracked after a “fast-track investigation by the European Commission.”
