Apple Blocks Fortnite on iOS Again After Court Clash with Epic Games

Fortnite has once again been blocked from the iOS App Store globally, Epic Games confirmed on Friday. This comes just weeks after a major court victory for the game’s developer against Apple, reigniting the long-running Fortnite ban dispute.

Epic Claims Global Lockout

Epic Games announced the removal in a social media post, saying Fortnite on iOS would remain offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it. The ban affects users in both the U.S. and the European Union, where the game had recently resumed updates.

Apple Responds to Submission Dispute

Apple, however, said Epic’s update submission included the U.S. App Store, violating prior agreements. “We asked Epic Sweden to resubmit the update without the U.S. storefront to avoid impact in other regions,” Apple said. The company denied taking action to remove the game from alternative distribution platforms.

Read: Google Updates Iconic ‘G’ Logo After a Decade

Legal Feud Began in 2020

The standoff dates back to 2020, when Apple first removed Fortnite after Epic introduced direct in-app purchases, bypassing Apple’s 30% commission. A court battle soon followed, raising questions about antitrust laws and App Store practices.

Judicial Rebuke for Apple

Last month, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple had violated a 2021 injunction that allowed developers to guide users to alternative payment methods. The judge said Apple’s new 27% external payment fee “strained credulity” and accused the company of trying to avoid true compliance.

Criminal Contempt Allegations

Judge Rogers went further, referring Apple’s conduct to federal prosecutors. She noted Apple misled the court and singled out executive Alex Roman for allegedly lying under oath. She blamed Apple’s leadership, including CEO Tim Cook, for ignoring internal advice.

Epic Gains Ground Despite Setbacks

Though the court ruled in Apple’s favor on nine out of ten counts in 2021, Epic did win a crucial point: the nationwide injunction allowing alternative payment links. The decision was later upheld by the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court let it stand in 2024.

Trade-off of Power and Policy

Now, the latest block has re-ignited criticism over Apple’s App Store dominance and its enforcement of developer policies. As legal battles continue, Fortnite fans remain caught in the crossfire.

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