Apple is facing a massive legal battle in the UK over its App Store fees.
The case involves roughly 20 million iPhone and iPad users in the UK, who allege they were overcharged for apps and in-app purchases.
According to the lawsuit, Apple has violated UK and European competition laws by forcing users to buy apps exclusively through its App Store.
Apple is facing a massive legal battle in the UK over its App Store fees. The tech giant has been accused of abusing its dominant position by charging developers an unfair 30 percent commission through its App Store. This lawsuit, filed by Dr Rachael Kent of King’s College London, claims that Apple’s actions have cost British consumers up to £1.5 billion (around $1.8 billion or nearly Rs 1.58 lakh crore).
The case involves roughly 20 million iPhone and iPad users in the UK, who allege they were overcharged for apps and in-app purchases, reports Reuters.
According to the lawsuit, Apple has violated UK and European competition laws by forcing users to buy apps exclusively through its App Store, while charging developers a hefty commission. The lawsuit claims that between October 2015 and November 2024, iPhone and iPad users have been overpaying for apps due to these high fees.
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The lawsuit is automatic for those affected, meaning anyone who owns an iPhone or iPad in the UK during this period is part of the claim, unless they choose to opt out. As per MacRumors, Kent argues that while the App Store was originally a great platform, it has now become the only option for millions of users, with Apple restricting alternative platforms that might offer better deals. She accuses Apple of using its monopoly to limit competition and maintain control over app distribution.
In its defence, Apple has called the lawsuit baseless. The tech giant claims that its App Store commission rates are in line with other digital platforms, noting that 85 percent of apps are free and many developers only pay a reduced commission of 15 percent.
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The trial, which began at the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, is expected to last for seven weeks. In addition to this lawsuit, Apple is also dealing with a £785 million lawsuit in the UK over developer fees and was recently fined €500 million ($538 million) by the European Commission for similar issues.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
