Apple faces legal action in the UK over £1.5 billion in overcharges in the App Store
Apple will stand trial in London in a class action lawsuit worth £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion). The corporation is accused of monopolising the App Store, which violates UK and EU competition laws.
Here's What We Know
The lawsuit was initiated by Rachel Kent of King's College London. She claims that Apple forces iOS users to download apps only through the App Store and charges up to 30% of the purchase price.
The lawsuit covers around 19.6 million iPhone and iPad owners in the UK who, according to the plaintiffs, were overcharged for apps and purchases between October 2015 and November 2024. Under UK law, all those affected are automatically included in the lawsuit unless they decide to opt out.
Kent believes that the App Store was initially a "great tool" but later became "the only option available" for consumers. She accuses Apple of a monopoly that blocks access to alternative platforms with more favourable conditions.
Apple denies all allegations, calling the lawsuit "baseless". The company claims that 85% of apps in the store are free, and many developers pay only 15% of the commission.
The trial at the Competition Tribunal will last about seven weeks. This lawsuit is just one of many that Apple is facing around the world. In particular, the company is also facing other lawsuits in the UK, one of which seeks £785 million in compensation, and was fined €500 million by the European Commission for violating digital competition rules.
Source: MacRumors
