Roblox blocks Apple in antitrust case

Online gaming platform Roblox Corp said that Apple Inc’s App Store offers privacy and safety benefits to its users. They support the iPhone-maker’s bid to beat an appeal by Epic Games in a key U.S. antitrust case. Epic, known for its Fortnite game, largely lost a trial last year. This is over whether Apple’s fees and payment rules for app makers were anti-competitive. It appealed in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Roblox said in a legal filing that Apple’s process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security. They provide those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users. Roblox had played a prominent role in the original trial. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing key revelations from the antitrust trial between Apple and Epic Games. In which the Fortnite maker had argued that Apple had given a free pass to Roblox, whose app lets people pick from a selection of games to play.

An Apple senior director described Roblox’s offering as experiences. Soon after, Roblox changed descriptions on its website to “experiences” from “games” and called itself a metaverse company. Apple has said that its rules promote several benefits for consumers. Two former Central Intelligence Agency directors and 21 other former U.S. national security officials advanced that argument in Apple’s support. The appeal hearing is expected next year.