Escalation in Epic Games and Apple Dispute
announced its global unavailability on iOS, attributing the setback to 's blockade against its release in the and , marking a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between and Apple.
Apple clarified that it requested Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update excluding the U.S. App Store but did not remove Fortnite from other distribution marketplaces, aiming to avoid global impact.
Legal Battles and Regulatory Pressures
The dispute traces back to a 2020 antitrust lawsuit by Epic against Apple, accusing it of monopolistic practices, leading to a series of legal battles and regulatory scrutiny.
Despite legal victories for Epic, including a ban on Apple's commission from alternative payment systems, Fortnite's return to iOS in the U.S. and EU was thwarted by Apple's latest decision, prolonging the rivalry.