In its 2024 case, Epic argues that it should be able to offer its own store in competition to Apple’s App Store and offer alternative payment options within their app in its Games Store.In its 2024 case, Epic argues that it should be able to offer its own store in competition to Apple’s App Store and offer alternative payment options within their app in its Games Store.
Just like their phone operating systems, the legal cases between Apple and Google have many similarities – but also key points of difference. Apple’s iOS and App Store are completely closed and controlled by Apple. That means if an app is on your phone, and there is a payment through that app, it has to go through Apple.
In the Apple case, the judge took a narrower view, considering mobile gaming transactions specifically rather than the app store as a whole. The judge found that Apple was not a monopoly, instead it was competing against Google and others. The judge also backed Apple’s concerns about the security implications of opening up the App Store, and supported the company seeking a fee for the use of its intellectual property through in-app payments.
Google argues it does offer customers a choice in app stores, as well as alternative options for developers to sell content outside Google Play. It also points to its permissions allowing the sideloading of apps while also trying to preserve security for users – something it argues Epic is attempting to water down.