Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic Games, has once again criticized Apple, asserting that the tech giant is responsible for Fortnite’s ongoing unavailability on iOS devices in Japan.
Recently, Apple declared its intention to modify iOS in Japan to adhere to the nation’s new Mobile Software Competition Act. This legislation mandates that Apple permit third-party app marketplaces and external payment options for apps on its devices.
According to Apple’s announcement, starting with iOS version 26.2, Japanese developers will gain the ability to distribute applications through alternative app marketplaces, operate these marketplaces, and process payments for digital goods and services on iOS without relying on Apple In-App Purchase.
Epic had previously committed to bringing Fortnite to iOS in Japan by the end of the year, a move anticipated due to the new Act. However, Sweeney now states this will not occur, alleging that Apple has acted ‘dishonestly’ in its implementation of the mandated changes.
Sweeney expressed on X that Fortnite’s return to iOS in Japan in 2025, as promised, is unfortunately not happening. He claimed that Apple, despite being required to open iOS to competing stores, has instead engaged in ‘another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking’ demonstrating ‘gross disrespect’ to the Japanese government and its citizens. Sweeney concluded that Apple ‘chose poorly. Again.’
Sweeney alleges that Apple is imposing a ‘junk fee’ of 21% on third-party in-app payments and 15% on web-based purchases. He also criticized the use of ‘anticompetitive’ warning screens that inform users that privacy and security for external purchases are managed by the developer, not Apple.
Furthermore, Sweeney accused Apple of levying a ‘5% junk fee’ on all revenue generated by applications distributed through competing stores, stating that Apple intends to monitor this via a mandatory reporting API.
Sweeney described this as an ‘egregious Apple imposition’ on distribution and payments where Apple has no direct involvement, noting that US courts have previously deemed such a practice illegal and upheld that ruling on appeal.
He asserted that genuine competition and consumer benefits are hindered when Apple exploits its position to obstruct fair dealings between users and competitors. Sweeney called this ‘another sad day’ for platform makers, developers, and consumers, indicating that complaints would be filed with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.
This situation marks the latest development in the ongoing dispute between Epic and Apple, which began in 2020. At that time, Epic, the publisher of Fortnite, sued Apple over its 30% commission on in-app purchases and its prohibition of alternative payment methods outside the Apple ecosystem.
In 2020, Epic attempted to circumvent Apple’s platform fees by introducing a direct payment option within Fortnite. In response, Apple removed the game from the App Store and terminated Epic’s developer account.
A 2021 order mandated Apple to permit iOS developers to include links to external payment options within their applications. However, when Apple implemented this, it introduced a 27% commission on purchases made via web links in apps, alongside prompts warning users about potential safety risks associated with such purchases – a move similar to what Sweeney now alleges is happening in Japan.
Earlier this year, a US judge ordered Apple to cease enforcing the 27% commission and using its warning prompts. The judge stated that Apple had violated a 2021 injunction and that VP Alex Roman had ‘outright lied under oath,’ potentially exposing the company to criminal contempt charges.
