SYDNEY, April 21, 2026 — Australia’s Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been granted permission by the Federal Court of Australia to intervene in the ongoing legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple, focusing on the remedies the court should impose after finding Apple breached competition laws.
The court last year ruled that Apple misused its market power by restricting alternative app distribution and in-app payment methods on its devices, in violation of Australian competition law. The upcoming hearing will determine what remedies should be ordered following that decision.
ACCC to make submissions on public interest
The regulator sought permission to intervene so it could make written submissions on specific remedy issues that it says raise broader public interest concerns.
“The ACCC hopes to assist the Court by putting submissions that recognise the public interest in the promotion of competitive digital services markets and the broad public interest nature of the remedial orders that the Court may make,” said Luke Woodward.
Woodward added that the outcome of the case could have far-reaching consequences for the distribution of mobile apps and in-app payments in Australia.
The ACCC said it generally intervenes in private litigation only in limited circumstances, particularly when cases involve significant public interest or broader implications for competition law.
Long-running dispute over app store policies
The dispute dates back to August 2020, when Epic introduced its own payment system within the popular game Fortnite, bypassing the roughly 30% commissions charged by Apple and Google on in-app purchases.
Apple and Google subsequently removed Fortnite from their app stores, prompting Epic to launch legal action.
In August 2025, the Federal Court ruled that both Apple and Google had misused their market power by restricting alternative app distribution and payment methods on their mobile platforms.
Google case settled
Earlier this year, Epic’s case against Google ended after the parties reached a global settlement. In March 2026, the Federal Court dismissed the proceedings against Google by consent.
The litigation against Apple continues, with the relief hearing scheduled to resume on April 28, 2026.
Broader implications for digital platform regulation
The ACCC said the case comes amid growing concerns about competition in digital markets identified during its Digital Platform Services Inquiry (2020–2025).
The regulator has previously warned that major digital platforms may distort competition through practices such as restricting interoperability, self-preferencing, tying services and limiting access to critical data and software.
Australia’s government has since committed to introducing a new digital competition regime, with the ACCC continuing to work with the Treasury on its design.
Source: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-granted-leave-to-intervene-in-epic-v-apple-proceedings
