Epic Games Store rejected by Apple on iOS in Europe
Rejection due to concerns over button design and positioning
Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, is in a heated dispute with Apple over the rejection of its Epic Games Store on iOS in Europe. According to reports, Apple has rejected Epic's submission twice due to concerns over the design and positioning of certain buttons on the store. Specifically, Apple objects to Epic's
Epic Games is trying to bring its alternative app store, the Epic Games Store, to the EU on iOS.
Epic argues that it is using the same naming conventions as other popular app stores on different platforms and calls Apple’s rejection arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple noted that Epic Games agreed not to make its store appear confusingly similar to the App Store under Section 2.3 (G) of its developer agreement, except for the design and copy of the download button.
Epic has shared its concerns with the European Commission.
The DMA requires Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhones as they were deemed a ‘gatekeeper’ under EU law.
Accuracy
Apple rejected Epic Games submission twice over concerns that its store looked too similar to Apple’s App Store.
Epic argues that it is using the same naming conventions as other popular app stores on different platforms and calls Apple’s rejection arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Epic Games Store submission for iPhone has been rejected by Apple twice
Rejection reason: Epic’s ’Install’ button and ’In-app purchases’ label are too similar to Apple’s buttons
EU antitrust expert Florian Mueller stated that the DMA does not force platform owners to accept any store
Accuracy
Rejection reason: Epic’s ‘Install’ button and ‘In-app purchases’ label are too similar to Apple’s buttons
Apple is yet to comment on the issue
Deception
(70%)
The author, Tammy Rogers, is making editorializing statements by interpreting Apple's actions as 'obstructive' and 'arbitrary'. She also uses the phrase 'bloody nose', which is an emotional manipulation. The article does not provide any evidence that Epic Games has shared the exact design of their buttons with the reader, so it is selective reporting for Tammy to claim that they are too similar to Apple's buttons.
The buttons in question are the ‘Install’ button and the ‘in-app purchases’ button. Apparently, they’re too similar to Apple’s ‘Get’ and ‘In-App Purchases buttons’, and Apple wants them changed.
Apple has rejected our Epic Games Store notarization submission twice now, claiming the design and position of Epic’s ‘Install’ button is too similar to Apple’s ‘Get’ button and that our ‘In-app purchases’ label is too similar to the App Store’s ‘In-App Purchases label.’
Epic reckons the rejection is arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA,
Epic Games Store is not yet available in the EU App Store due to Apple’s objection to its button designs and locations.
,Apple rejected Epic Games Store from notarization twice for having a button named and positioned similarly to Apple’s ‘Get’ button.
Epic argues it is following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps and using same naming conventions as other app storefronts.
Accuracy
Apple rejected Epic Games Store from notarization twice for having a button named and positioned similarly to Apple’s ‘Get’ button.
Deception
(30%)
The author makes accusatory statements against Apple without providing any concrete evidence to support his claims. He uses emotional language such as 'dragging its heels', 'accused of preventing', and 'violation' to manipulate the reader's emotions. The article also contains selective reporting, as it only reports details that support Epic Games' position and ignores Apple's perspective. Additionally, the author makes a false implication by stating that Apple is blocking Epic from launching its store in the EU due to button designs when in reality, Apple is enforcing its App Store Review Guidelines and Alternative Terms Addendum for Apps in the EU.
The first two tweets claim that Apple rejected the Epic Games Store from notarization twice.
Apple is also supposedly against the use of Epic’s ‘In-app purchases’ label due to being too similar to the App Store’s version.
Epic outright blames Apple for blocking the Epic Games Store.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(90%)
The author, Malcolm Owen, expresses a clear bias against Apple in the article. He uses language that depicts Apple as obstructive and arbitrary in their rejection of the Epic Games Store based on button designs and labels. The author also implies that Apple is violating EU regulations by preventing the store from being approved.
Apple is accused of preventing Epic from getting past the final hurdle.
Epic outright blames Apple for blocking the Epic Games Store.
The rejection is arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Epic Games accuses Apple of deliberately delaying the launch of Epic Games Store for iOS in Europe
'Epic's notarization submission was rejected twice due to 'Install' and 'In-app purchases' labels being too similar to App Store labels㽜
Epic Games says rejection is 'arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA㽜
Epic shared concerns with European Union
Accuracy
Apple rejected Epic Games’ notarization submission twice due to ‘Install’ and ‘In-app purchases’ labels being too similar to App Store labels
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential straw man fallacy. The author cites Epic Games' accusations against Apple without providing counterarguments or evidence to refute the claims. Additionally, the article mentions the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and its implications for Apple but does not explore other perspectives on how the DMA might affect different parties.
. . . Epic Games says . . .
At least six major companies, including Apple, were named "gatekeepers" who are covered by the DMA.
Last month, the EU accused Apple of violating the DMA by preventing app developers from freely steering consumers to alternative channels for offers and content.
Epic Games is preparing to launch an Epic Games Store on iOS in the 'next couple of months'.
Apple has rejected Epic’s store notarisation submission twice.
Apple objected to the design and position of Epic’s ‘Install’ button, which it deemed too similar to its own ‘Get’ button.
Epic claims that its naming conventions are used across popular app stores and follows standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps.
Epic has criticised Apple for years over how it handles its App Store.
Accuracy
Epic Games is preparing to launch an Epic Games Store on iOS in the ‘next couple of months’.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author is making an argument that Apple's rejection of Epic Games Store on iOS is arbitrary and in violation of EU rules based on Epic Games' claims. However, the author does not provide any evidence or logical reasoning to support this assertion beyond what Epic Games has stated. This can be considered a lack of evidence fallacy. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory language such as 'obstructive' and 'malicious compliance' when describing Apple's actions, which is an appeal to emotion fallacy.
]The rejection is arbitrary, obstructive and in violation of the DMA[.
Apple's rejection is a devious new instance of malicious compliance[.
