The decision, according to Sweeney, is allegedly a retaliatory move by Apple due to Epic Games' antitrust lobbying efforts, its ongoing lawsuit against Apple, and certain social media posts made by Sweeney himself. Sweeney cited emails purportedly from Apple App Store chief Phil Schiller and Apple's legal team to support his claims, reported CNBC. During a call with reporters, Sweeney expressed his discontent, labeling Apple's actions as "super egregious" and drawing a vivid analogy, comparing Apple to a "medieval feudal lord mounting the skulls of their former enemies on their castle walls." This rejection marks the first public instance of Apple obstructing competing app stores in Europe and is likely to intensify scrutiny of Apple's compliance with new antitrust legislation.