Epic Games CEO Says Fortnite’s Legal Battle Against Apple & Google Is About ‘Basic Freedoms of All Consumers and Developers’

Last updated June 16, 2021
Written by:
Novak Bozovic
Novak Bozovic
Tech & VPN Content Specialist

Without any doubt, one of the most heated discussions online right now is focused around Fortnite’s sudden (yet well planned) decision to go against Apple and Google. We've heard plenty of statements from various parties, both involved and outside of this event. And now, Epic Games CEO has now decided to share his views as well.

Using his Twitter account, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney made sure to clarify the company's intentions. He says that his decision to go against Apple and Google isn't about money. Instead, it's about "the freedom of people who bought smartphones to install apps from sources of their choosing." Therefore, as per Sweeney's statements, the problem is that companies such as Apple and Google have too much power when it comes to controlling both developers and users – as these two groups can't "do business directly."

Sweeney also notes that this action's goal isn't about money, or Epic Games getting special treatment on Apple's App Store or Google's Play Store. Instead, it's about creating an equal opportunity for game and app developers who decide to offer their software creations on iOS and Android.

To get a full sense of the scope of this event, allow us to remind you that this feud began only a few days ago. That's when Epic Games issued an update for Fortnite, implementing a direct payment method into the iOS and Android versions of the game. In essence, this action allowed players to go around Apple's and Google's payment methods, which is against both of these companies' rules. As a result, Fortnite has been removed from both Apple’s and Google’s app stores.

In the meantime, Epic Games submitted a 62-page legal complaint and lawsuit in addition to a video parodying Apple’s “1984” commercial. The company has entered the same legal battle against Google as well.

In the background of these latest events are often-raised complaints about Apple's 30% cut, which many developers feel is anticompetitive. Apple CEO Tim Cook testified in an antitrust investigation only a few weeks ago, dismissing all of those accusations, adding that Apple doesn't have a dominant market share in any market the company does business. It's clear that Epic Games strongly disagrees with those statements, which is the reason why the company has entered this (what's likely going to be a lengthy) legal battle.



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