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Apple Reprimanded for Illegally Taking a Cut of Third-Party Payments

Apr 30, 2025, 8:58 PM by Rich Brome @rbrome.bsky.social

In the ongoing saga of the Epic Games v. Apple legal case over Apple's App Store fees and rules, the judge has ordered Apple to immediately stop collecting fees on purchases made outside of apps. Further, Apple is no longer allowed to restrict how apps point users to third-party payment options. The judge had already issued injunctions to this effect as long ago as 2021, but Apple's selective interpretation of its obligations amounts to "willful" non-compliance, according to the judge. So much so that the judge has requested that the case be reviewed for possible criminal contempt proceedings. Apple said it would comply, but appeal. Epic Games responded that it will bring its Fortnite game back to Apple's App Store "next week".

The Verge »

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gloopey1

May 1, 2025, 8:40 PM
edited

Bad Law

Apple may have violated a law, but any law that prohibits a company from charging fees to reimburse itself for services provided is unjust. Apple, Samsung, Motorola, etc. are under no obligation to make cellphones or sell their services to anyone. If you don't like their business practices, fees, etc., then don't buy their products.

Laws should exist to protect consumer safety and ensure honest dealings, not to mandate what prices companies can charge or how much they pay employees.

Rich Brome

I think the issue is that the fees don't really align with the services being provided. It costs money for Apple to run its App Store, but how does that entitle Apple to 30% of a monthly subscription to Spotify? Wouldn't a one-time fee when they downl...
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