Epic Games' Developer Account Reinstated by Apple Following EU Probe

In a significant development, Apple has agreed to reinstate Epic Games' developer account, paving the way for the Fortnite creator's return to the iOS app store. According to an update from Epic, the company's plans for a new Epic Games Store and the reintroduction of Fortnite are progressing. Epic views this move as a "strong signal" that the European Commission is committed to enforcing the Digital Markets Act and holding large tech companies accountable. The decision comes after the European Union's antitrust regulators sought clarification from Apple regarding its ban on Epic's developer account. Apple had previously labeled Epic as "untrustworthy" due to a 2020 incident where the company enabled direct payments for virtual currency, bypassing Apple's 30% commission and violating their developer agreement. The reinstatement is seen as a major victory for the Digital Markets Act, which aims to promote competition and fairness in the tech industry. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the move as a significant win for the European rule of law, the European Commission, and the freedom of developers worldwide to speak out.