Overview

• Y Combinator filed an amicus brief supporting Epic Games in its legal fight over Apple’s App Store policies.
• YC’s filing characterizes Apple’s 27% fee on linked‑out transactions and related restrictions as a punitive tax on developers that mirrors the banned restraints.
• A U.S. district court in April found Apple in willful violation of a 2021 injunction and ordered developers be allowed to link to outside purchase options without fees or link‑format limits.
• YC says the 30% revenue share can make otherwise viable models infeasible and notes it has long been hesitant to back app‑based companies subject to the so‑called Apple Tax.
• The brief contends the current enforcement order has already revived investor interest in app businesses and asks the court to make the anti‑steering relief permanent.