Fortnite, the popular video game, is set to make a comeback on iPhones after a four-year hiatus, thanks to a new EU law aiming to maintain open and competitive markets that allow various companies to coexist successfully.
Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, will now be permitted to operate its app store on Apple devices, marking a significant shift from Apple’s previous exclusive control over app distribution on iOS.
Currently, iPhone users can only download apps from Apple’s App Store, but the new EU law mandates that Apple must allow access to alternative app stores on iOS devices purchased in the EU starting from March. Apple has consistently argued that its stringent rules are in place to safeguard user security.
In a post on its social media platform X, Fortnite teased its return to iOS, stating, “Remember Fortnite on iOS? How about we bring that back?” The post also carried a message directed at Apple, declaring, “Apple, the world is watching.”
The highly publicized removal of Fortnite from the App Store in 2020 was a result of Epic Games’ disagreement with Apple’s policies, accusing the tech giant of creating a monopoly.
Apple’s insistence on developers using its channels and charging hefty commissions of up to 30% further fueled the controversy, leading to the withdrawal of Fortnite from the App Store.
Epic Games credited the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) for making their return to iOS possible. The DMA aims to regulate major companies acting as gatekeepers to services like search engines and app stores, promoting fair competition for both established companies and smaller enterprises.
The changes resulting from the DMA will not initially apply in the UK. However, the UK’s Digital Markets Bill, currently in Parliament, is expected to subject Apple’s practices to similar regulatory scrutiny.
Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, criticized Apple’s recent announcement, highlighting what he referred to as “junk fees on downloads.”
This may allude to the core technology fee imposed on developers of apps with over a million downloads, requiring a payment of €0.50 for each user beyond the first million.
Apple also pledged to enhance browser choice for EU users, allowing them to opt out of using the Safari web browser from the first use. However, Apple expressed concerns that opening up to alternative apps and stores could pose security risks for users, exposing them to malware, fraud, and scams.
While Apple is adapting to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, it continues to stress the potential privacy and security threats associated with the new regulations. The company emphasized that for apps using alternative payment processing, Apple’s ability to issue refunds and support customers facing issues, scams, or fraud would be limited.
