Apple Might Have To Loosen Its Grip Over App Store Commission And External Payments Links As Several Tech Giants Join Epic،
Some of the world's most popular tech giants – Meta Platforms, Microsoft, X (formerly Twitter), and Match Group – have joined Epic Games against Cupertino-based tech giant Apple. These companies united in their statement, saying that the iPhone maker had clearly violated the September 2021 injunction by making it difficult for developers to redirect customers away from the App Store or any other payment method less Dear.
Apple says company has fully complied with 2021 injunction
Although Apple did not comment specifically on the allegation, it referenced a statement from January 16, 2024, stating that the company had fully complied with the injunction while also mentioning that it would protect consumers. The injunction all companies are referring to requires Apple to allow links and buttons to alternative payment methods instead of forcing consumers to pay for digital services on the App Store, where the company charges a heavy commission.
Epic Games, along with several other companies, thinks otherwise
According to a Reuters report, Epic has requested that Apple be held in contempt of the injunction, stating that the new App Store rules and 27% developer fees make external payment links unnecessary. In another filing yesterday, all of the companies mentioned above came together to state that Apple's conduct disregards anti-steering rules that have been declared illegal. Since all tech giants must distribute their apps to iOS devices through the App Store, they highlight Apple's excessive commissions.
The filing says the current structure harms both consumers and developers. Additionally, the filing adds that barriers to how developers can interact with consumers and provide them with payment options “create significant barriers to competition and artificially inflate prices.” For Apple, this could constitute a potential obstacle to exercising its control over the App Store, through which the platform guarantees quality and safety for consumers.
However, on the other hand, with several tech giants claiming these practices harm developers and consumers alike, the court could find Apple in contempt of the injunction and ask the company to relax a little its policies.
Epic Games Store will come to iOS and Android devices later this year
Along the same lines, the Fortnite maker recently announced that its Epic Games Store would be available on iOS and Android devices later this year. On Android devices, the Games Store will charge a 12% cut, while developers will get to keep 88% of their games' revenue, which is significantly lower than the Google Play Store. However, Epic has not yet announced any commission rates. It's important to mention that the Epic Games Store will only come to iOS devices in the European Union (for now).
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