Epic Games Attempts to Clarify Google's Muzzling of Tim Sweeney

"Epic and Tim agreed to not criticize Google related to app store distribution and fees. All other topics are still on the table and criticism is fair game! Tim posted the actual language from the agreement on X earlier today if anyone wants to read it."

"Epic Games "will not advocate for further changes to the Google policies and practices that are the subject of this Term Sheet and/or the Long-Form Agreement..." The precise inaccuracy here that has ruffled Epic Games' feathers is that "Tim" can still criticize Google; he just can't specifically criticize their app store policies."

Epic Games and Google settled their five-year antitrust lawsuit on March 3, with a settlement agreement containing a "Cessation of advocacy against Google Play" clause. This clause prevents Epic Games and CEO Tim Sweeney from criticizing Google's App Store policies until 2032. The restriction sparked online ridicule, particularly given Sweeney's active social media presence. Epic Games disputed characterizations of the clause as a complete "muzzle," clarifying that the restriction applies specifically to app store distribution and fees, while criticism of other Google topics remains permitted. The company released the partially redacted agreement to demonstrate the precise language limiting advocacy regarding Google policies covered by the settlement.

Read at Kotaku