Apple is facing a £1.5 billion lawsuit in the UK, with accusations of breaching competition laws by restricting access to alternative app stores on its iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads.
The class action, filed in May 2021, alleges that approximately 20 million Apple users were overcharged due to Apple’s exclusive control over the App Store.
The lawsuit claims that the company imposes a 30% surcharge on apps purchased through its platform, which plaintiffs argue harms consumers. The case is spearheaded by Rachael Kent, an academic from King’s College London, alongside law firm Hausfeld & Co. The trial, set to begin on January 13, 2025, at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, is expected to last seven weeks.
Kent explains that the surcharge applies to most apps, such as Tinder, but not to services offering physical products like Uber Eats. The lawsuit seeks compensation for users who made purchases between October 2015 and November 2024.
Apple, which maintains that the lawsuit is without merit, defends its App Store commission as standard in the digital marketplace. The company also points out that 85% of apps on the platform are free. However, complaints against Apple have been mounting globally, with the tech giant also facing another £785 million claim regarding app developer fees.
