Epic Games CEO Slams Apple and Google as 'Gangster-Style' Companies That Find Crime Pays
Summary Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has intensified his criticism of Apple, describing it as a 'gangster-style business' that believes 'crime pays.' In his remarks at a tech conference, Sweeney accused both Apple and Google of engaging in illegal practices and using scare tactics to deter users from installing the Epic Games Store. This criticism comes after Epic's 2021 lawsuit against Apple, where they mostly lost, except for a ruling allowing developers to direct users to alternative payment methods.
Sweeney explained that these companies often continue illegal practices if the fines are cheaper than the lost revenue. In Europe, new regulations allow the Epic Games Store to operate, but Apple's warning messages to users trying to install it result in high drop-off rates of 50-60%.
The article also notes that despite the inflammatory language, there is evidence suggesting Apple may be found guilty of bad-faith compliance with court rulings. Both judges involved in the case have implied that Apple misrepresented its actions regarding commission charges for in-app purchases.
