Apple has been hit by a €500m (£429m) fine from the European Union for violations of its Digital Markets Act (DMA) – and Fortnite maker Epic Games, which has been warring with the iPhone manufacturer amidst the rollout of its own app store, has been quick to respond.
Today, both Apple and Facebook owner Meta have been handed the first major penalties to come from the DMA. Apple has been slapped for App Store practices. Meanwhile, Meta must pay €200m (£172m) over its advertising policies.
Issues with Apple’s App Store centre on the company’s policy of not allowing iPhone and iPad apps to mention or link to alternative storefronts or offers elsewhere – meaning customers are directed to spend solely via the App Store, where Apple takes its 30 percent cut.
This was a key issue behind Epic Games’ original beef with the iPhone maker, when it launched the first strike in its now years-long war with both Apple and Google by slipping cheaper, direct payments into Fortnite (and swiftly getting booted from the App Store and Google Play as a result).