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Elon Musk weighs in on Epic Games v. Apple suit

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called Apple's App Store fees a "de facto global tax on the Internet." His comment comes ahead of a decision in the suit.

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter
Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET analyzing tech trends while also writing news, reviews and commentaries across mobile, streaming and online culture. Credentials
  • Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
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Abrar Al-Heeti
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Elon Musk gave his take on Apple and Epic's ongoing legal battle.

 Angela Lang/CNET

Elon Musk has some thoughts to share on Epic's legal spat with Apple. 

Fortnite maker Epic Games sued Apple after the game was removed from the iOS App Store in August. This came after Epic built a direct payment system into its game that would allow it to bypass Apple's 30% fee for App Store purchases. Epic accused the iPhone maker of anticompetitive practice, and argues the App Store is monopolistic. Apple calls Epic's lawsuit a marketing stunt and argues that the App Store gives developers access to a huge audience of iPhone and iPad users. 

Musk has his own thoughts. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO on Friday said in a tweet, "Apple app store fees are a de facto global tax on the Internet. Epic is right."

He added: "Normally, competitive pressure would force Apple to lower fees, but Apple & Android have a duopoly on phones. When interface familiarity is taken into account, it's basically a monopoly. The effective 30% sales tax Apple charges is hidden from users or there would be an outcry."

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Epic declined to comment. 

Musk's comments come as both companies await a judge's decision in the lawsuit. After many hearings and trials that went on for nearly nine months, Apple and Epic made their final pitches to a US District Court in California on May 24. The case also will soon be brought to an Australian court.