Apple has officially launched a challenge against a massive £1.5B court ruling that could see millions of UK customers compensated for years of alleged overcharging on the App Store, as reported by The Guardian. The tech giant has applied to the Court of Appeal to overturn a recent verdict that legal campaigners and consumer advocates have called a “tidal shift” against big tech dominance. This legal battle centers on the 30% commission fee charged on apps and in-app purchases.
At the heart of this dispute is a class action suit representing approximately 36 million UK consumers. The case argues that Apple abused its market dominance by charging excessive commissions on digital purchases made between 2015 and 2024. If the original ruling stands and Apple’s appeal fails, practically anyone in the UK who purchased an app or made an in-app payment during that nine-year window could be eligible for a payout.
The Competition Appeal Tribunal previously found that Apple’s commission rates were unjustified. While Apple traditionally charges up to 30%, the tribunal suggested a fairer rate would be 17.5% for app sales and just 10% for in-app purchases. This discrepancy is what drives the massive £1.5B valuation of the claim, as consumers arguably footed the bill for these higher fees.
Dr. Rachael Kent, the academic leading the charge on behalf of UK consumers, believes we are witnessing a significant shift in how the public perceives digital ecosystems. She described the initial win as a tipping point where people are finally pushing back against the financial harms of the digital worlds they inhabit daily. According to Kent, the increased reliance on apps during the pandemic—for food delivery, social connection, and health—accelerated this realization.
Apple strongly disagrees with the tribunal’s findings and maintains that the claims are unfounded. The company argues that the court took a flawed view of what it describes as a “thriving and competitive app economy.” Apple highlights that most developers actually pay a lower 15% commission and points out that the App Store facilitated over $55 billion (£41 billion) in billings and sales in the UK alone in 2024.
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