Epic Games Scores Major Win Against Apple and Google in Australian Court Over App Store Rules
Hey, have you heard about the latest big news involving Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite? It’s been a pretty intense legal battle, and it just took an important turn in Australia. So here’s the story in a nutshell, and I’ll break it down for you.
Back in 2020, Epic Games got kicked off both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Why? Because Epic tried to bypass the usual payment systems on these platforms by offering their own in-app payment option inside Fortnite. Normally, Apple and Google take a cut from every in-app purchase — like a 15% to 30% fee — but Epic wanted to avoid those fees, which didn’t sit well with the tech giants.
Epic didn’t just take it quietly. Instead, they launched legal battles in several countries, including Australia. Their argument was pretty clear: Apple’s and Google’s control over app distribution and payments was unfair and anti-competitive. For example, Apple completely locks down the iOS system, forcing all apps and payments to go through their App Store. Google’s system is a bit more flexible because Android allows “side-loading” apps—meaning users can install apps outside the official Play Store, and even phone makers like Samsung can run their own app stores.
Now, the Australian federal court has handed down a decision that partially favors Epic Games. The judge ruled that Apple’s strict control—especially their ban on side-loading apps on iOS and their forced use of Apple’s payment system—likely reduces competition. This is seen as a breach of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act. Google was also found to have broken the same rules, particularly because of its billing policies and something called “Project Hug,” where developers were allegedly encouraged to keep their apps on Google’s store.
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Epic didn’t win every single point, but the judgment is a big deal because it sends a message that even huge companies like Apple and Google need to “play by the rules” when it comes to competition and consumer rights. Epic Games announced on social media that their own app store and Fortnite would be coming to iOS in Australia, but there’s a lot of fine print still to understand from the court’s massive rulings.
Apple responded by saying they disagree with some parts of the judgment but acknowledged the court recognized the difference between Android’s more open platform and Apple’s closed system. Google also plans to review the full decision before deciding on their next steps.
It’s worth noting this case has been going on for over a year and is part of a larger global fight around how much control Apple and Google should have over their platforms. While Fortnite has returned to the Apple App Store in the U.S. and is available via the Epic Games store in Europe, it’s still not officially back on Apple’s Australian store just yet.
This ruling could be a turning point for app developers and consumers in Australia, potentially opening up more options and fairer fees. But, as with many big legal battles, changes won’t happen overnight — the road ahead may still be long.
In the end, this case highlights something important: no matter how big or powerful a company is, they need to respect the rules and give developers and users a fair shake. It’s definitely one to watch if you’re into tech, gaming, or just how digital marketplaces operate.
So, what do you think? Would you want more freedom in how apps and payments work on your phone?
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