Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#101

Post by FirmwareBurner » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

zshrc wrote: post #88

FirmwareBurner wrote: post #75

Feels like a mob boss sending a message. "We own this platform, we make the rules, and we don't care who you are or how big you are, you mess with us we'll terminate your account and revenue stream." C'mon EU, do something.

We own this platform, (we built this platform), we make the rules I don't see the issue with this... it's not like they're exploiting an inherited platform like Oracle with (everything), IBM with Red Hat or Broadcom with VMware.

Would you also defend Microsoft of the 90's with the same argument for the similar issue?

At least Microsoft had no way of stopping you selling apps for Windows but Apple is a next level of nefarious.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#102

Post by ergonaught » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

hellcow wrote: post #83

Clearly the recent 1.8B Euro fine the EU levied against Apple didn't send a message. Perhaps the EU needs to ratchet it up by an order of magnitude.

More likely, Apple needs to withdraw entirely from the EU and see what happens.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#103

Post by bluescrn » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

mountainriver wrote: post #84

I may get rid of my iPhone, this is just horrible continued behavior on Apple’s part. Nothing can be worth the damage this is doing to their reputation

I'd rather people dump Apple products over their anti-repair practices or the whole concept of locked-downd devices tied to monopolistic App Stores, rather than the Apple vs Epic vs EU fight.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#104

Post by lapcat » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

k33n wrote: post #43

Apple should get out of the European market entirely. Their product offering is literally incompatible with the laws that govern EU commerce. There's plenty of money to be made in Asia/Pacific and the Americas. Apple's walled-garden approach is innovative especially on the security and stability fronts and anyone who doesn't like that or wants alternative launchers should jailbreak their ios device or just use Androi…

Apple's last quarter results: $30 billion in net sales from Europe, their second largest market behind the Americas. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/pdfs/fy2024-q1/FY24_Q1_Consol...

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#105

Post by twoodfin » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:09 PM UTC

archagon wrote: post #82

bunbun69 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you believing a “trust me bro” comment?

Say what you want about Tim Sweeney, but he has integrity.

In what sense did the submarine delivery of functionality clearly in violation of their contract with Apple—the inspiring incident for all this drama—represent integrity?

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#106

Post by davidg109 » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:09 PM UTC

Apple makes incredible products, but their teenage angst corporate temper tantrums are vomit inducing. Might be time to vote with my dollar on other tech.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#107

Post by izacus » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:09 PM UTC

benced wrote: post #73

Even setting aside the dubious morality of Apple's rules on iOS, I feel like I'm going insane watching Apple be maximally aggressive. The EU loves regulating! There's nothing they love more! It seems supremely unwise to give them additional excuses to do something they clearly want to do anyways.

Having worked for many bosses, never ever never undersestimate the power of ego of an executive. It's only second to the ego of a lawyer.

Many of them will tank their company and their client if they get their ego bruised and feel publicly humiliated. Those are hyper competitive people which see live as zero sum game and are trained in life to never, ever, lose a challenge or competition for domination. ESPECIALLY in public.

The myth of a rational businessman is just that - a myth.

Being publicly regulated is exactly that scenario for Apple. There's execs in that very company that are frothing at their mouth in irrational anger ready to throw their weight around and WIN. Stomp on the opponent. SPLAT the unimportant fly that DARED challenge them.

(I'm exaggerating... but not by much. This seems more of an emotional than thoughtful response Apple is doing here.)

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#108

Post by BudaDude » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:10 PM UTC

mountainriver wrote: post #84

I may get rid of my iPhone, this is just horrible continued behavior on Apple’s part. Nothing can be worth the damage this is doing to their reputation

I have been feeling the same way. Apple has been dropping the ball a lot lately. This whole malicious compliance thing they are doing with the EU is childish. Apple 100% should have lost the court case to Epic the same way Google did.

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#109

Post by testfrequency » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:10 PM UTC

lapcat wrote: post #80

beeboobaa wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mysteriously not on the front page.

That is indeed strange.

I was going to start an Ask HN post on this very thing just this morning, so instead I’ll just reply here.

The last few weeks, HN seems to be suppressing Apple headlines. They will be on the front page, but then drop off minutes later - despite being fresh, growing in votes and engagement, and being high quality articles.

Meanwhile, positive headlines about OpenAI will be up for hours…

Also, don’t blame the mod tools. This should be fixed, that’s not normal

Re: Apple terminates Epic Games developer account, calling it a 'threat' to iOS

#110

Post by lsaferite » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 6:10 PM UTC

Jensson wrote: post #89

bunbun69 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you believing a “trust me bro” comment?

Apple says they did it for no reason other than that they could, not because Epic violated anything. > “Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate ‘any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion.’ In light of Epic’s past and ong…

> no reason other than that they could

That's statement is wrong given the quote you posted right after. They clearly state it's due to perceived breaches of contractual obligations.

FWIW, I have no horse in the race, just pointing out what I would assuming is a misapprehension in your statement.