Epic Games' widely popular multiplayer shooter, Fortnite, has made its triumphant return on iPhones within the European Union and is now accessible on Android devices globally. This comeback follows nearly four years of absence after both Apple and Google pulled the game from their app stores due to payment policy violations.
Launched back in 2017, Fortnite quickly became renowned for its engaging battle royale format, captivating millions around the world. The game's removal from app stores stemmed from Epic's attempt to bypass the conventional 30% commission fees by introducing its own payment features, which led to numerous legal disputes.
At the time of its ban, Fortnite boasted around 116 million users exclusively on Apple's platform. With recent changes under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Epic finally gained the opportunity to relaunch its game store, though users outside Europe are still unable to access Fortnite.
Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, expressed gratitude toward the European Commission for facilitating this comeback and maintaining pressure on Apple and Google. He noted, “They were going to great efforts to slow us down and tried to stop us several times, and the European Commission always stepped up.”
The relaunch of Fortnite coincides with other titles like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, as Epic reaches out to developers for more games to feature on its platform. With currently 75 million monthly active users on its PC store, Epic aims to attract another 100 million mobile users by year-end.
While the game is available through other independent mobile stores like AltStore, the installation process remains complex and lengthy, especially for iOS users. Epic reported complications such as 15 installation steps, alongside confusing device settings, which could deter some users from engaging with their content.
Despite the challenges faced, Sweeney emphasized the stark cost of the past four years without access to iOS as “over a billion dollars of revenue lost.” He concluded, “But what’s the cost of freedom?”
Meanwhile, TikTok finds itself embroiled in another significant legal battle as it fights against claims from the U.S. Department of Justice. On August 15, TikTok urged a federal appeals court to dismiss allegations linking the platform to its China-based parent company, ByteDance.
TikTok argues the law mandatorily requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets is built on factual inaccuracies presented by the Justice Department. The government’s position states the app poses national security threats by enabling China to gather data on Americans and influence their content exposure.
According to TikTok, its operations are firmly based within the United States; content recommendation engines and user data are stored on Oracle-operated cloud servers, ensuring local moderation. The stakes are being raised as the recent law signed by President Joe Biden grants ByteDance until mid-January to relinquish TikTok or risk outright prohibition.
The conflicting opinions surrounding TikTok grow louder as major political figures weigh in. Notably, Republican candidate Donald Trump has joined TikTok and staunchly opposes any ban on the app, and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris also embraced the platform for campaign strategies.
It has become evident to TikTok's legal team how serious the situation is; during their appeal, they claimed the mandated divestiture infringes upon their First Amendment rights. TikTok argued against the prevailing sentiment from the Justice Department, which indicates the company's content curation decisions are not protected speech under U.S. law.
“By the government’s logic, a U.S. newspaper replicates foreign content without constitutional protection,” they contended, using this rationale to frame their fight against the allegations. The law, passed overwhelmingly by Congress amid national security fears, prevents prominent platforms like Apple and Google from offering TikTok without divestiture.
Alongside these events, the tech world is continuing to buzz with innovations and developments. Recently, Google has expanded its AI-generated search summaries across six new countries, revolutionizing how users digest online information.
This advancement signifies Google’s commitment to enhancing user experience and streamlining access to pertinent data. With marketing strategies adjusting toward AI technologies, the company aims to redefine standards of online interaction.
All of these movements highlight the shifting dynamics of the technology sector, where regulation, innovation, and competition continually reshape the boundaries of digital engagement.
