Spotify and Match Group support Epic Games amid feud with Apple and Google.
Spotify and Match Group issued statements in support of Epic Games, developer of the 2017 video game “Fortnite”, which filed suit against Apple and Alphabet Inc.’s Google last week alleging monopolistic practices after the world’s two dominant smartphone operating systems pulled “Fortnite” from their app stores for violating their rules on in-app payments after Epic tried offering discounts on in-game currency for players who bypassed Apple and Google with their purchases.
Epic Games also accused Apple of being a “behemoth seeking to control markets, block competition and stifle innovation”, apart from attempting to suppress competition through authoritative control of the market. The clash peaked on social media where the community was quick to comment.
“We fully support Epic Games’ efforts…to show how Apple uses its dominant position and unfair policies to hurt consumers, app developers and entrepreneurs,” a Match Group spokeswoman said in the statement. “Regulators across the globe have expressed similar concerns and are examining” what some describe as “Apple’s arbitrary practices.” According to MarketWatch, a Spotify spokesperson said that the company “applaud[s] Epic Games’ decision to take a stand against Apple and shed further light on Apple’s abuse of its dominant position.” The streaming music giant argued in its Thursday statement that “Apple’s unfair practices have disadvantaged competitors and deprived consumers for far too long.”
Reporting from Shlasher and Sportskeeda suggests this has now escalated into a full-fledged war of sorts, with Epic Games taking legal action and also releasing a short film, which is a parody of Apple’s iconic 1984 Mackintosh commercial.
Epic baits Apple into kicking them off the app store and has a lawsuit with an ad mocking them ready to premiere in game with the entire Fortnite+gaming community behind them
10/10 bait https://t.co/arxOaNkebj
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) August 13, 2020
