Epic Games believes Apple and Google ‘software’ practices should stop

Epic Games, the developer of the Fortnite video game that is currently in legal litigation with Apple and Google, whom it accuses of anti-competitive practices on its App Store and Google Play ‘software’ platforms, and has stated that Apple’s current strategy “must stop.” and that Google’s position is “crazy.”

This has been stated by the CEO of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, at a press conference held in Seoul (South Korea) and picked up by Bloomberg, after the Asian country in September passed a law to force companies such as Apple and Google to open payments to third parties in their mobile ecosystems.

“Apple locks up 1 billion users in an application store and a payment processor” of their property, and with which they obtain commissions that go of 30 to 15 percent, has denounced Sweeney.

The executive of Epic Games has also stated that although Apple respect the laws of other countries, “It is ignoring the laws passed by the democracy of South Korea.” “Apple must be stopped”, has come to assure.

Sweeney also criticized Google for the commissions to the applications on its Google Play Store platform, which it has defined as “crazy” because in many cases Google is not the one who processes the payments. This platform also currently charges commissions of 30 to 15 percent, but from 2022 it will be 15 percent in all cases.

The executive of the Fortnite developer has welcomed the measures taken by South Korea. “I am very proud to take on these monopolies with you,” explained Sweeney, who has described himself as Korean.

Google has responded to these accusations. A company spokesperson has defended himself in statements to Bloomberg stating that Google Play’s fees “They have never been simply for payment processing.”

“It’s because of how we provide Android and Google Play for free and invest in the many distribution, development and security services that help developers and consumers in South Korea and around the world.” Google has apostilled.

For his part, Sweeney has stated that the practices of Google and Apple go against the principles of the founding of the Internet, and that “Their policies are so restrictive that if the Internet had been invented after the ‘smartphone’, Apple and Google would have blocked all browsers on their platforms.”

The executive has recognized the right to Apple and Google to make a profit, but not beyond your market sector. “It is essential that the application of antitrust laws does not allow a monopolist in a market to use its control of that market to impose control over unrelated markets”, it is finished.