Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, has accused tech giants Apple and Google of colluding to place onerous restrictions on app stores created after Google lost an antitrust case. The allegations come in the midst of an ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple over the tech giant’s App Store policies.
The dispute between Epic Games and Apple began in August 2020 when Epic Games attempted to circumvent Apple’s payment system in the Fortnite app, which would have allowed the company to avoid paying Apple a 30% commission on in-app purchases. In response, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic Games to file a lawsuit against Apple alleging antitrust violations.
In a recent court filing, Epic Games claimed that Google had colluded with Apple to restrict competition in the app store market. According to the filing, Google created a program called “Apps on Google Play” that allowed app developers to create their own app stores on Android devices. However, Epic Games alleges that Google placed strict restrictions on these app stores, making it difficult for developers to compete with Google’s own Play Store.
Epic Games also alleged that Google pressured app developers to use Google’s payment system, which charges a 30% commission on in-app purchases, similar to Apple’s App Store policies. The company claims that this behavior is evidence of collusion between Apple and Google to maintain their duopoly in the app store market and stifle competition.
Both Apple and Google have denied the allegations, stating that their app store policies are designed to ensure the security and privacy of their users. Apple has argued that its policies are necessary to maintain a safe and secure ecosystem for app developers and users, while Google has stated that its policies are transparent and designed to promote competition.
The outcome of the legal battle between Epic Games and Apple could have far-reaching implications for the app store market. If Epic Games is successful in proving its allegations of collusion, it could lead to changes in the way tech giants like Apple and Google operate their app stores, potentially opening up the market to more competition and innovation.
Overall, the allegations made by Epic Games against Apple and Google highlight the ongoing debate over the power and influence of tech giants in the app store market. As the legal battle continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the courts ultimately rule on this important issue.
