Epic Games announces that Apple gave them an "indefinite extension" as regards the game developer's access to the Cupertino-based company's quick "Sign-in with Apple" feature.
In yet another twist in the unfolding legal saga between two digital monoliths, Apple and Epic Games, the Cupertino-based giant reportedly decides to reverse course and give Epic Games a breather when it opted to give the game developer an "indefinite extension" to its quick sign-in feature. The decision comes a day after Epic Games announced that Apple will disable Epic's users' access to the "Sign in with Apple" component.
The Fortnite Status profile, in a tweet Wednesday, said that Apple would no longer provide Fortnite users the access to its "Sign in with Apple" feature by September 11, 2020. It advised users who are using the quick access feature to ensure their emails and passwords are up to date, as well as to "prepare" their accounts for the feature's removal. On Thursday, however, Fortnite Status sent out a new tweet informing users that the Cupertino-based company had "reversed course" and gave Epic Games an "indefinite extension," adding that plans to terminate the "Sign in with Apple" feature by Sept. 11 will no longer push through.
Apple will no longer allow users to sign into Epic Games accounts using “Sign In with Apple” as soon as September 11, 2020. If you used “Sign In with Apple”, please make sure your email and password are up to date. https://t.co/4XZX5g0eaf — Epic Games Store (@EpicGames) September 9, 2020
UPDATE: Apple previously stated they would terminate “Sign In with Apple” support for Epic Games accounts after Sept 11, 2020, but today provided an indefinite extension. We still recommend you prepare your accounts now for “Sign In with Apple” removal. https://t.co/hUDCKcajGo — Epic Games Store (@EpicGames) September 10, 2020
It is not yet clear if it was indeed Apple that decided to pull back its threat of discontinuing the "Sign in with Apple" feature and grant the Fortnite maker "indefinite extension," or if the termination of the Epic's developer account at Apple triggered some type of automated cancellation notice. The Cupertino-based company closed the developer account of Epic Games on Aug. 28.
Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and has informed Epic that on Friday, August 28 Apple will terminate all our developer accounts and cut Epic off from iOS and Mac development tools. We are asking the court to stop this retaliation. Details here: https://t.co/3br1EHmyd8 — Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) August 17, 2020
Some observers, however, say that Epic's claims appear to have some discrepancies. In a statement provided to The Verge, Apple said it has no plans of vigorously pursuing the termination of "Sign in with Apple" support for Epic Games. The iPhone maker also did not say anything about giving the Fortnite developer an "indefinite extension" as regards to its access to the feature. Apple's comment suggests one party is twisting or distorting the facts.
The recent updates about Apple terminating the "Sign in with Apple" feature and backpedaling afterward to grant "indefinite extension" to the Fortnite developer are the latest in the legal drama between Epic Games and Apple. It started out when Epic allegedly baited the Cupertino tech giant into removing "Fortnite" from the App Store and subsequently filed a prepared antitrust lawsuit against Apple. The Fortnite developer then made an unsuccessful attempt to secure a court order for Apple to restore the game. Apple, on the other hand, recently filed a countersuit against Epic Games for "willful, brazen, and unlawful conduct.
The legal dispute reportedly escalated when Epic Games revealed that Apple is revoking the access of its users to the "Sign in with Apple" option. This means that Epic Games' customers who chose this option need to immediately create an Epic account. Fortnite users breathed a sigh of relief at the latest tweet of Epic Games when it said that Apple reversed course and granted them "indefinite extension."
