Epic claims Apple suspended its developer account for publicly criticizing their company

epic guarantees that Manzana Ha your developer account has been blocked, limiting the ability to launch its own app store in the European Union following changes made in iOS 17.4 to comply with the Digital Markets Act. This is yet another twist in a very long battle between both companies and App Store policies. Similar to what happened with Spotify.

In a statement posted on the company’s website, Epic explains that Apple has approved a new developer account with which they plan to create their own third-party app store, which is already allowed in Europe. But soon its action was suspended.

To develop an app store alternative to the App Store in Europe, an Apple developer account is required. According to Epic, the account ban “is a serious violation of the Digital Markets Act” and “shows that Apple does not intend to allow free competition on iOS devices,” the statement said.

According to epicOne of the reasons for terminating the developer’s account, according to Apple, is public criticism of how they plan to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple actuallyquoted a specific tweet by Tim Sweeney.

Email exchange between Tim Sweeney (Epic) and Phil Schiller (Apple)

After announcing the possibility of creating app stores alternative to the App Store in Europe, Epic announced that it would make such an option. Then, on February 25, Phil Schiller (Apple) emailed Sweeney asking for written assurances that they would honor their obligations.

Schiller raised concerns about some of Sweeney’s public statements and the fact that in 2020, Epic violated App Store rules by adding external payment to Fortnite on iOS, which caused Apple to ban the game on iPhone. “Explain to us why we should trust Epic this time.”

Sweeney responded: “Epic and its subsidiaries act in good faith and will comply with all terms of current and future agreements with Apple. And we can offer you any future assurance you need.”

But on March 2, Apple’s lawyers sent a letter to Epic explaining that they had closed Epic’s developer account in Sweden, through which they planned to create an alternative app store. “Epic has denigrated Apple’s terms and conditions for developers in the past. That’s why we contacted Tim Sweeney to give us assurances that this would not happen again, but his reporting was not entirely sufficient or trustworthy.

Epic’s statement concludes with the assurance that “they will continue to fight for real competition on iOS devices in Europe and around the world.” They also confirm that they have contacted the European Commission regarding the suspension of the developer’s account.

At the moment Manzana did not tell.