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In a fiery speech at a tech conference, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney made his strongest statements yet against Apple and Google, accusing them of operating like “gangster-style businesses.” This provocative rhetoric is the latest chapter in his long-standing feud with the tech giants, especially Apple, stemming from a legal battle between the two. Sweeney’s comments have sent shockwaves through the tech community, further intensifying the already heated debate over app store policies and the 30% commission fee that Apple and Google impose on developers.
Epic Games CEO Calls Out Apple and Google
Tim Sweeney, the outspoken CEO of Epic Games, has ramped up his criticism of Apple and Google, calling them out for what he sees as unethical business practices. In a recent statement, Sweeney accused the two tech behemoths of using “gangster-style” tactics to maintain their dominance in the mobile market. He claimed that both companies would do anything they could get away with, even if it meant breaking the law and paying fines.
According to Sweeney, Apple and Google are not acting in good faith and are more interested in maximizing their profits at the expense of developers and consumers. He further criticized both companies for using scare tactics to prevent users from installing alternative app stores, such as the Epic Games Store. While new regulations in Europe allow the Epic Games Store to operate, Apple has reportedly displayed warnings to users trying to install it, leading to a significant drop-off in users.
Sweeney’s words were sharp: “Crime pays for big tech companies,” he said, referring to the companies’ repeated actions of continuing illegal practices if the fines they face are less than the potential profits they stand to lose. He emphasized the need for more vigorous enforcement to rein in their practices.
Sweeneyās Long-Standing Conflict with Apple
This recent outburst from Sweeney is not a one-time event. Epic Games has been in a legal battle with Apple since 2020, when the company attempted to bypass the App Store’s 30% commission fee by implementing its own payment system within Fortnite. Apple responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store, triggering a lawsuit from Epic Games that would become one of the most high-profile legal clashes in tech history.
While the court ruled in favor of Apple on most counts, Epic did secure a victory when the judge decided that developers could direct users to alternative payment options outside of the App Store. However, this did little to ease the tension between Sweeney and Apple. Since then, Sweeney has continued to accuse Apple of bad faith and claimed that the company’s policies are illegal.
The Current Landscape for Epic Games
Despite the court ruling, Sweeney remains undeterred in his mission to break Apple’s monopoly over the app market. He has expressed frustration with the way both Apple and Google continue to enforce their 30% commission fees, despite the court ruling that developers should have more freedom to choose how they conduct transactions. While Epic Games is allowed to operate its own store in Europe, Apple still discourages users from installing it by showing warning messages and triggering a significant drop in user adoption rates.
What Undercode Says:
Tim Sweeneyās criticisms of Apple and Google reflect a growing dissatisfaction among developers and consumers about the dominance these tech giants have over app marketplaces. The 30% commission fee has long been a point of contention, with many arguing that it stifles innovation and puts smaller developers at a disadvantage. While Apple and Google have defended the fee as necessary for maintaining their ecosystems and ensuring security, Sweeneyās remarks expose the deeper frustrations within the industry.
Sweeney’s decision to use terms like “gangster-style business” and accuse Apple and Google of criminal behavior is a strategic move that shifts the conversation to ethics, rather than just legalities. By framing the issue in such stark terms, he aims to rally both consumers and developers against the powerful duopoly that controls mobile app distribution.
However, while Sweeneyās comments are certainly provocative, they also risk alienating potential allies. His strong language and confrontational stance may turn off people who see him as just another player in a corporate power struggle. Additionally, some critics argue that Epic Games is itself a beneficiary of the current system, given its immense popularity with Fortnite and its own battles over in-app purchases. Sweeneyās calls for change, therefore, may appear self-serving to some, especially when Epic Games is also a major player in the app market.
The ultimate question remains: Will
Fact Checker Results:
- Tim Sweeneyās accusations are part of an ongoing feud with Apple and Google, fueled by Epic Gamesā legal battle over app store policies.
– Epic
- Sweeneyās rhetoric highlights a broader concern about the power held by Apple and Google in the app marketplace, but his strong language may alienate potential allies.
References:
Reported By: https://9to5mac.com/2025/04/03/apple-a-gangster-company-which-finds-crime-pays-says-epic-games-ceo
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