Elain Brown Tech 04.01.2022 05:Apr AM EDT

Apple Gets Backing From Roblox, Security Experts, and Former US Officials in Antitrust Case Against Epic Games

Apple fights back against Epic Games in an antitrust case filed due to Apple's tightened security measures.

During the court hearing yesterday, March 30, Apple was able to present a series of fillings to support its argument for controlling its very own Apple Store.

Apple has garnered a plethora of support from Roblox, cybersecurity researchers, national security officials, developers, and pro-business advocacy groups which recommend that Apple's approach to managing applications on its iPhones and iPads should not be hindered by the courts.

Roblox and US Officials Supports Apple

Roblox, the hit online game supports Apple's App Store Policy of the concern that numerous players of their game are minors. Roblox sees the extra security measures for Apple as just and right.

As reported by CNET, Roblox contributed to Thursday's filling which wrote, "Apple's process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security, and provides those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users."

Roblox also added, "This is an important benefit that all apps, including Roblox's, enjoy by choosing to be a part of Apple's ecosystem."

Furthermore, two dozen security experts and former U.S. officials also sided with Apple's argument on security during the court filing. The security experts and former U.S. officials reasoned that forcing Apple to open its iPhone operating system will harm users and national security.

According to CNN, former officials wrote, "Requiring Apple devices to accept third-party apps and app stores necessarily increases the risk of malware on iOS devices, which directly correlates to an increased risk to national security."

There were more than a dozen briefs filed, and they echoed many of the concerns raised by Epic over how Apple handles payments in its App Store, which was the basis for the Epic lawsuit. Epic Games claims that Apple's business model stifles competition.

On the other hand, Apple continues to argue that it should be permitted to moderate and control which apps are made available on iPhones and which are not.

Epic Games Antitrust Case Against Apple

Epic Games' antitrust case against Apple is reported to be about how much control the tech giant is allowed to legally exercise over its products.

Apple has denied the approval of Epic Games' plan to create a competing app store for iPhones or iPads. Epic Games also received a refusal from Apple to directly collect payments from the players of their games in Apple. Particularly, payments for certain features such as a new look for their character.

Epic Games is also popularly known as the owner of Fortnite. Epic Games argued that Apple's obstinance constituted a monopoly and asked the court to reduce some of Apple's control over the iPhone to a more manageable level.

In September 2021, Apple won the case against Epic Games. However, this recent case update is due to Epic Games' appealing the decision to a higher court. Apple is now currently in the process of appealing to the federal court to honor the ruling of the lower court.

This antitrust case by Epic Games and Apple is being watched closely in the tech industry as this had the potential to upend the business models of the world's largest app store operators, Apple and Google.