Australian court finds Apple, Google abused app store market power

In a significant legal victory for Epic Games, an Australian court has ruled against Apple and Google, citing their anti-competitive behavior in the realm of app distribution. The Federal Court of Australia determined that both tech powerhouses have misused their market dominance to stifle competition, as reported by ABC News. Judge Jonathan Beach acknowledged the monopolistic tendencies of Apple and Google but dismissed Epic’s accusations of 'unconscionable conduct.' This ruling comes amidst Epic's ongoing battle to reform the fee structures imposed by Apple and Google on in-app purchases across various regions. Earlier this year, Epic achieved a landmark victory in the United States, leading to Fortnite’s reinstatement in Apple’s U.S. App Store after a five-year absence. Following the Australian ruling, Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, expressed optimism about the potential return of both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to Apple’s App Store in Australia. In response to the court's decision, a Google representative stated, "We welcome the court’s rejection of Epic’s demands for distributing app stores within Google Play, as well as the company’s critiques of essential security measures for users. However, we contest the court’s interpretation of our billing policies and previous partnerships." Apple, on the other hand, defended its app store, reiterating its commitment to user safety and expressing disagreement with certain aspects of the court's ruling regarding Epic’s allegations.