That would pave the way for malware, phishwsre, scamware and apps used for no good purposes.
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Apple Explains Why It Terminated Epic's Latest Developer Account
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If that happens, Apple might as well put Android on the iPhone for EU. Ofcourse also at a very high price because all those fines have to be paid by the EU customers.
You do not own a copy of iOS. What you purchase is a licence to use that software under the terms set forth by Apple.
In most cases, I'd be with you in the assessment that a big company stomping out another company isn't something to take pride in. However, Tim Sweeney is a special case.
This bozo decided he'd use his Fortnite money to rob games from other PC platforms to make them EXCLUSIVE for his store. Even ones that were already paid for using crowdsourced funds. Consumer choice of where you buy a game didn't matter to him apparently, so long as you sign up for the Epic Games Store.
The arguments he produced were on the basis that companies like Valve were evil because of their 30% tax. He largely disregarded the years of work for the platform, community, engine, tools, compatibility, VR, and controller support that they brought, along with giving a boon to indie devs with a place that would ultimately go on to foster truly independent devs like the creators of titles like Phasmophobia or Vampire Survivors.
It was also a flawed philosophy, grounded in trickle down economics in the hopes that big companies who spent less on the distribution tax would somehow net the devs a better pay, which hasn't really been proven. What HAS been proven though is companies like Square Enix feeling the need to take the exclusivity bonus money, the extra money they'd net from the reduced distribution tax, AND charging $70 for games like Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts.
As for Apple though, if Epic had decided to not release to iOS citing the App Store rules as being problematic, I'd understand. I'd also understand too if they decided to charge more to make up for the Apple tax and released to iOS. Instead, they thought they could breach a contract they AGREED to, then not pay Apple. The courts proved that wasn't going to work, so instead, they got their own account banned, ended up having to pay Apple anyway, and really did nothing but lose out on a huge customer base.
This is also the same customer base that Epic Games would go onto tricking into payments, to which they were slapped with a hefty fine of $245m by the FTC to which they had to refund their customers. They would also have to pay another $275m for privacy violations of children.
FTC Finalizes Order Requiring Fortnite maker Epic Games to Pay $245 Million for Tricking Users into Making Unwanted Charges
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an order requiring Epic Games, the maker of the Fortnite video game, to pay $245 million to consumers to settle charges that the c
If this was ANY other company or indie dev, I'd have more sympathy... but Epic Games is a truly disgusting company. The fight for the "little guy" is only a facade. That was made evident as other platforms allowed for a higher profit margin for small companies, while giving no extra margin for companies like his who already make absurd amounts of money.
Apple’s response to the regulation is that the stores are open to any organization in good standing. When I read that, I was wondering “Epic wouldn’t be considered in good standing right? Seeing as how they did not uphold their contractual obligations AND are in a legal dust up with Apple? Seems I was correct.
Now, should Epic ever drop the legal actions and re-commit themselves to holding to their contractual obligations in the future? Sure, I think they could get a developer account again. Anyone want to place a bet on Tim EVER dropping their antagonistic stance?
Perpetual licenses for a one-time fee in the EU are no different to the purchase of a copy from a reseller.
These are the consequences of breaking a legal agreement. If they didn’t enforce it, this would most likely give precedent to further violations from others. There may be flexibility if the contract states “may terminate”, but then the question becomes why allow one violation and not another.
Epic not only violated the terms, but they were arrogant about it. The best thing they could have done was apologize and not assume that they will win in the court of public opinion. The public doesn’t give a damn — but any legal court will look at the legal contract you signed and agreed to.
Epic not only violated the terms, but they were arrogant about it. The best thing they could have done was apologize and not assume that they will win in the court of public opinion. The public doesn’t give a damn — but any legal court will look at the legal contract you signed and agreed to.
Bye Epic I don’t think you’re coming back from this.
Those already exist in Apple's walled garden.
Phishing is mostly done through text messages, emails or websites.
Note that in 2022 there were 1.7 million apps on the App Store and almost 37 million registered developers. Sure, Apple could limit the number of developers, but that would be a very drastic change.
Yes, and that’s why I think the DMA is badly implemented. I’m not saying this would be a good thing. But it might pan out this way. I suppose those of us who value our security will simply avoid third party AppStores.
It's hilarious how many people don't realize that the VAST amount of scams are right there within existing emails and web browsers, on any and all platforms.
Nothing Apple is doing with its App Store lock downs does a lick about any of that (nor can it)
Throw the baby out with the bath water comment regarding the iOS App Store.
You dont see how it could be worse if apple is forced to NOT vet devs?
The DMA is irrelevant to their previous behavior. Apple has new terms when the DMA goes into effect.
I certainly understand the difference that you are trying to make. The problem is that your distinction is wrong and legally irrelevant.
I think it's very relevant. It shows that Apple's behavior was not illegal on its face. The EU just decided it was illegal based on arbitrary size metrics and then fined Apple $2 billion two days before Apple was required to change those practices by the DMA.
Apple’s response to the regulation is that the stores are open to any organization in good standing. When I read that, I was wondering “Epic wouldn’t be considered in good standing right? Seeing as how they did not uphold their contractual obligations AND are in a legal dust up with Apple? Seems I was correct.
Now, should Epic ever drop the legal actions and re-commit themselves to holding to their contractual obligations in the future? Sure, I think they could get a developer account again. Anyone want to place a bet on Tim EVER dropping their antagonistic stance?
If you walk into a store and the store owner doesn't like because you slept with his wife, there is a big chance you will be kicked out of the store.
If you want to do business with a business partner and he lost money through some shady stuff you did in the past, don't act surprised when that business partner don't want to do business with you anymore.
Too many people nowadays don't seem to understand that actions have consequences.
What’s really hilarious is the because people claim there are not bad apps in the iOS App Store, they don’t see how it could get worse. That’s what’s haleious and keeps me guffawing.
So? It is a dispute between two US companies. EU law does not apply to Apple's developer agreement (contract). The case was brought in the appropriate venue, the courts ruled that Epic violated the agreement on purpose, and that Apple could refuse to go into another agreement with them. Nothing to do with the DMA. It's all US contract law.
Wait until you hear how Apple behaves!
I think it has more to do with Epic violating contractual provisions and then expecting no repercussions, all while under the pretense of fair competition and practices.
If you think there are no spam/spyware programs on iOS, then I have a bridge to sell you.
The spam/spyware are just nicely renamed as "analytics," "telemetry," or "advertising" these days
There are no smaller guys, this is Goliath vs Goliath. Tencent is definitely not an “underdog”
Way to throw the baby out with the bathwater re: what you call "sideloading". Just because you could use it to sideload "malware" doesn't mean that's all it's good for.