07:11 AM EDT, 08/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Apple ( AAPL ) and Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) unit Google's ( GOOG ) Android had their respective smartphone app stores deemed uncompetitive by an Australian federal court in a partial win for Epic Games, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing local media.

The court reportedly found the companies' app stores lacked safeguards against anti-competitive conduct, though it said they had not intentionally breached the law.

Epic alleged Apple ( AAPL ) and Google ( GOOG ) charged excessive fees for game downloads and made downloading of its alternative app store impossible for users, the news agency reported.

Epic said the ruling confirmed the companies abused control over app distribution and in-app payments, adding that its games store and Fortnite game will return to iOS in Australia, Reuters reported.

Apple ( AAPL ) reportedly disagreed with parts of the decision but welcomed the rejection of some Epic claims, while Google ( GOOG ) also expressed disagreement with aspects of the ruling and said it would review the full decision, according to the report.

Apple ( AAPL ), Google ( GOOG ), and Epic Games did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)