Apple says it will make no exceptions for Epic Games

“Epic has created a problem for itself that can be easily fixed if they send an update of their app that restores it to comply with the guidelines again.”

In a statement shared with  Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman , Apple said that ” we will not be making an exception for Epic because we don’t think it’s right to put our business interests ahead of guidelines that protect our customers .”

Apple said that ” the problem Epic has created for itself is easily solved ” if the company sent out a version of the Fortnite app that doesn’t offer a direct payment option for its in-game currency V-Bucks. Last week, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, because Epic introduced an alternative to its in-app purchase mechanism.

Full Apple Statement:

The App Store is designed to be a safe and reliable place for users and a great business opportunity for all developers. Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, becoming a multi-billion dollar business that reaches millions of iOS customers around the world. We really want to keep the company as part of the Apple Developer Program and its apps on the Store. The problem that Epic has created for itself is one that can be easily fixed if they submit an update of their app that restores it to comply with the guidelines they have previously accepted and which apply to all developers. We won’t make an exception for Epic because we don’t think it’s right to put your business interests ahead of guidelines that protect our customers.

Fortnite ‘s latest update  for iOS was designed to revise app store guidelines that require developers to use the platform owners’ payment systems for in-app purchases of digital goods such as V-bucks. giving Apple and Google a 30% commission.

Apple and Google removed  Fortnite  from the App Store and Play Store in response to Epic’s breach, and the latter responded by suing the two companies for anti-competitive practices . Epic also filed a preliminary injunction asking the courts to prevent Apple from excluding it from the developer program.

What do you think?