Apple may have thought they could escape unscathed if not for Tim Sweeney’s persistence. The ongoing battle between Epic and Apple seems endless, much like the Warhammer conflicts. “In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only Epic Vs Apple…”
Following the recent episode where Apple’s Phil Schiller demanded a promise from Epic’s Tim Sweeney to behave, only to see Sweeney make their interaction public, questions arose about Apple’s manipulation of the Digital Markets Act in Europe.
Finally, it appears that the European Union is taking notice. Until now, Apple seemed to be skating by, following the law while still maintaining high fees, controlling app access on iOS, and exercising the power to remove any entity, including giants like Epic, from their platform at will.
However, a recent dispute has caught the attention of the EU, prompting them to investigate Apple’s actions.
Europe: “Can’t we all just get along?”
Tim Sweeney’s actions have led to EU regulators questioning why Apple and Epic cannot reconcile their differences, especially after the introduction of a new European law aimed at preventing such conflicts.
The European Commission spokesperson confirmed, “We are also evaluating whether Apple’s actions raise doubts on their compliance with the DSA and the P2B, given the links between the developer programme membership and the App store as designated VLOP.”
The Digital Services Act requires account suspensions to be proportionate and respect fundamental rights, while the Platform to Business Regulation mandates clear communication with clients regarding any changes or violations before taking drastic actions.
Confronting Apple’s Behavior
Apple’s demand for compliance from Tim Sweeney, followed by abrupt termination, may violate these regulations. However, Apple has defended their actions, citing Epic’s breach of contract.
As questions arise about Apple’s compliance with the DMA, the EU’s response to Apple’s behavior remains to be seen. The ongoing saga between Apple and Epic continues to unfold as the EU investigates.
Stay tuned as we watch developments in this ongoing dispute.
