- European Union regulators said they want to question Apple over accusations that it blocked video game company Epic Games from setting up its own app store, in a possible violation of digital rules that took effect in the 27-nation bloc Thursday.
- The European Commission, the EU’s top antitrust watchdog, said in a statement Thursday that it has “requested further explanations on this from Apple under the DMA.” The rules threaten penalties that could reach into the billions for violations.
- The commission said it’s “also evaluating whether Apple’s actions raise doubts on their compliance” with other EU regulations including the Digital Services Act, a second set of regulations in the bloc’s digital rulebook that prohibit tech companies from ”arbitrary application” of their terms and conditions.
This is very clearly anti competitive behavior and should be dealt with ASAP.
Let’s hope the EU 10x the last fine Apple got to see if they’ll get the message.
Next iPhones up another $500.
Karma is a bitch, huh?
EA is also the one behind easyanticheat, refusing to make their games work under Linux, claiming it’s difficult.
However, Steam/Valve has made it very easy to ship EAC for Steam games and many games (i.e. Apex Legends) have shown that it just works.
So yeah, excluding Linux users is as shitty as being excluded from Apple.
“They willfully broke our TOS and we don’t trust them to not do it again.”
Why would they need to comply with Apple’s ToS to publish apps outside of the app store?
I think Apple still manages third party app stores too. And there will be rules. If this was totally without rules or terms, then it would just mean it’s wide open to side loading. It wouldn’t mean there was a new alternative App Store system.
It being totally without rules or terms is exactly what the EU demanded.
Interesting. So the stuff about a letter of credit or the App Store download number requirements are both not being enforced?
Sandboxing isn’t a requirement for apps or anything else?
I can just make a side loading App Store and invent new app types and software types for iOS and install them how ever I like as an App Store owner?
I don’t mean they manage them like they are the manager of a physical store. I just mean there are still platform rules, and agreements and TOS. Things alternative app stores need to adhere to.
If I’m mistaken, and alternative app stores can say, install a Springboard replacement, that’s big news I missed.
The EU demands that alternative app stores or individual users can do exactly that.
Apple disagrees.
That’s precisely why this is back in court.
What was that bit about being a “gatekeeper”?
