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On Friday, Epic Games declared that Apple has placed a ban on the exceedingly popular video game Fortnite on iPhones throughout the United States and within Epic Games’ proprietary app store in the European Union. As a result, players who wish to enjoy Fortnite on iOS devices worldwide will find themselves unable to do so until Apple decides to revoke the restriction. This situation is especially noteworthy given that Fortnite has been accessible to iPhone users in Europe since August 2024, following the implementation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which permits third-party app stores on iOS platforms.
Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns, stating that Apple’s App Review team is entirely entitled to assess all submitted applications and accept or reject them based on the clear wording of their established guidelines. However, he further asserted that Apple has effectively “weaponised” its App Review process to defer the release of crucial updates for the game. To date, Apple has not issued any public commentary regarding this ongoing situation.
The ongoing conflict between these two tech giants traces its origins back to 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store for breaching established payment protocols. Epic had introduced an alternative payment mechanism that bypassed Apple’s own, which led to the contentious fallout. Fortunately for gamers, a ruling from the EU courts later established the legitimacy of third-party payment methods, allowing the game to return to the App Store last year.
Earlier this month, on May 9, Epic Games re-submitted an updated version of Fortnite through Epic Games Sweden. Typically, Apple’s review process is meant to take around 24 hours. However, Epic Games has yet to receive any feedback from Apple—even after waiting for more than 120 hours. In light of this ongoing delay, Epic decided to withdraw the initial submission and has re-filed it with a more up-to-date version of the game. Speculation is rife that Apple has deliberately blocked the game on its App Store, yet Apple remains silent on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.
This latest development is particularly significant for both parties, affecting not only their business operations but also the vast community of Fortnite players who rely on iOS devices. The stakes have evidently escalated, as the ongoing feud now intertwines with regulatory scrutiny at a time when both companies are under heightened pressure to adhere to evolving digital marketplace laws.
For interested readers, it’s worth noting that this situation unveils broader implications regarding app store regulations and the obligations of tech giants in providing fair access to developers and consumers alike. As this saga continues to unfold, stakeholders will be closely watching how both Epic Games and Apple navigate this complicated digital landscape.
For additional updates in the tech and entertainment sectors, check out our article regarding Amazon’s pursuit of approval for launching satellite internet services in India, aiming to compete with Starlink.
