It didn’t take 24 hours for the EU to confirm this. will ask Apple for an explanation about the suspension of the developer account of Epic Games, which intended to launch an application store alternative to the App Store so that iPhone users could download Fortnite, among other games. How could you know BloombergThe goal of EU regulators is to check whether Apple violated the Digital Markets Act, which came into force on March 6, with this ban.
If, after the questions, the European Union considers that the Cupertino company does not comply with the Digital Markets Act, Apple could face fine of 10% of gross annual income. Or, on the other hand, 20% if they repeatedly fail to comply with the regulations.
The above-mentioned media also emphasized that the EU will check whether Apple violated other rules beyond DMA regarding user transparency. In any case, it is too early to tell the consequences for Apple, which was recently fined €1.840 million by Brussels for preventing Spotify and other music streaming apps from informing iPhone users that there were cheaper alternatives outside of Apple. . .
Apple bans Epic Games from launching its own iOS app
Let us remind you that Apple has blocked the account of the developer Epic (the creator of Fortnite) in Europe. The reason, according to Epic Games, is this. “publicly criticize your proposed WFD compliance plan”. “Apple is retaliating against Epic for exposing Apple’s unfair and illegal practices, just as they have done to other developers time and time again,” the gaming company explained in a statement.
Without an Apple developer account Epic Games can’t launch an app store for iPhone. This would put Apple in violation of the Digital Markets Act if the video game developer complies with Apple’s terms.
For now, Apple has not commented on this issue. However, a few months ago, the company suspended Epic developer accounts in other markets for circumventing the App Store payment system. The case went to trial, where it was determined that “Apple has the right to terminate the operations of any or all Epic Games subsidiaries,” the company confirmed.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
