A trial opening on Monday seeks over £1 billion in damages, alleging Apple violated UK and EU competition laws by excluding rival app stores from iOS devices like iPhones and iPads.
The claim, brought by King’s College London academic Rachael Kent and law firm Hausfeld & Co, accuses Apple of imposing a “30% surcharge” on App Store purchases, inflating costs for 20 million users.
Kent argues the surcharge affects most digital apps, citing Tinder as an example, but exempts services offering physical goods, such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
The case, set for a seven-week hearing at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, alleges Apple’s policies forced users to rely on its App Store, stifling competition and boosting profits.
Apple, dismissing the lawsuit as “meritless,” insists its fees align with industry norms and that 85% of App Store apps are free.
Under British law, affected individuals are automatically included in the case unless they opt out. Compensation could cover users who made purchases via the UK App Store from October 2015 to November 2024.
The claim seeks £1.5 billion in damages, while similar investigations into Apple’s practices are ongoing worldwide.
In response to EU pressure, Apple recently allowed iOS users in the EU to delete the App Store and use alternatives, though Kent argues such changes come only under regulatory compulsion.
