Key Takeaways
1. Fortnite will not return to iOS in Japan due to Apple’s response to the Mobile Software Competition Act.
2. Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, criticized Apple for obstructing competition and disrespecting Japanese regulations.
3. Despite legal victories allowing Fortnite’s return in some regions, Japan’s situation remains unchanged.
4. Developers face high fees and mandatory reporting requirements when using competing app stores on iOS.
5. Apple claims its policies are necessary for user safety and privacy, despite criticism from Epic Games.
Epic Games has shared some disappointing updates regarding the iOS version of Fortnite in Japan. The well-known battle royale game will not be making a comeback on iOS devices or the App Store in Japan. This decision comes after Japan introduced a new regulation called the Mobile Software Competition Act, which mandates that Apple must permit third-party app stores on iPhones to enhance competition.
Epic’s Criticism of Apple
Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, took to X to criticize Apple, stating that the company has engaged in “another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking in gross disrespect to the government and people of Japan.” The relationship between Apple and Epic Games has been strained for several years, primarily due to Epic’s rejection of Apple’s 30% cut from in-app purchases. This dispute led to Apple removing Fortnite from the App Store back in 2020.
Previous Comebacks
Despite this ongoing conflict, Fortnite did make a return on iOS in the EU through third-party stores and the official App Store in the US after winning some legal battles. There was optimism that Fortnite would also return to iOS in Japan, but Apple’s response to the new regulations changed that outlook.
Apple has technically opened iOS to competing app stores on iPhones, but not for iPads. Sweeney emphasized that they are imposing a “competition-crushing 21% junk fee on third-party in-app payments, and 15% for web purchases.”
Legal Issues and Developer Concerns
This situation has already been deemed illegal in a contempt of court case that Apple lost, which was affirmed by the 9th Circuit Court. From Epic’s viewpoint, the circumstances are worsening, as Apple is now taking a 5% cut from all apps sold through competing stores. Additionally, developers are required to use a “mandatory reporting API” that tracks every transaction and sends the data back to Apple.
Moreover, users face warning messages when attempting to access alternative stores, which appears to be a tactic to create fear regarding privacy and security. Sweeney has pledged to escalate the issue to Japan’s Fair Trade Commission, asserting that “Obviously, real competition won’t happen, and consumers won’t benefit, when Apple abuses its position between users and competitors to obstruct honest dealing between them.”
Apple’s Defense
In contrast, Apple defends these actions as necessary to ensure user privacy and child safety, claiming that the fees are essential to cover the expenses associated with payment processing technology.
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