Ecosystems of Tech Giants: Control and Consequences Large technology companies are increasingly creating closed ecosystems around their products – digital worlds that promise security and convenience. However, such comfort can have a downside. A prime example is the confrontation between Apple and Epic Games. Apple, having established a system of control over applications and payments within its iOS ecosystem, required developers to pay a 30% commission on transactions. This created a monopoly and limited the freedom of choice for users and developers. In 2020, Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, attempted to bypass this restriction by implementing a direct payment system within the game. Apple responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store. This move initiated a high-profile lawsuit. Epic Games accused Apple of abusing its dominant position and demanded an end to its monopolistic activities. The court partially supported both sides, but ultimately, Epic Games secured the right to inform users about the option to pay outside the App Store. This decision set a precedent. Other companies, such as Spotify and Tinder, also expressed dissatisfaction with Apple’s policy. In 2025, a US court found Apple guilty of violating antitrust laws, ordering it to stop charging commissions for out-of-app payments and to allow the use of third-party payment systems. As a result of this struggle, users gained the ability to purchase applications and games at lower prices. Apple was compelled to reduce its commission rate and also allow residents of the EU to install programs from alternative app stores. Although Apple lost some profit, this situation led to fairer conditions for developers and users, emphasizing the importance of competition in the digital space.
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