London: A London tribunal has ruled that Apple abused its dominant position by charging unfair commissions to app developers. The decision that could cost the company hundreds of millions of pounds in damages.
The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) found that Apple had exploited its monopoly from October 2015 to the end of 2020 by restricting competition in the app distribution market and imposing excessive and unfair commission fees on developers. The ruling followed a trial brought on behalf of millions of iPhone and iPad users in the United Kingdom.
Apple said it would appeal the decision, calling it a “flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy.” The hearing next month will determine the calculation of damages and whether Apple is granted permission to appeal.
The case, led by British academic Rachael Kent, argued that Apple generated profits by maintaining a monopoly over app distribution and in-app purchases. Her legal team said Apple’s 100 percent control allowed it to impose restrictive terms and charge commissions that were often around 30 percent, compared to a standard 17.5 percent. The CAT also noted that developers typically passed on 50 percent of the overcharge to consumers.
Apple responded that the App Store helps developers succeed and provides consumers a safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments.
The ruling marks the first major mass lawsuit against a tech giant under Britain’s class action-style regime, which has now been in place for a decade. While previous cases have seen limited success for consumers, experts say this decision could pave the way for future claims.
Several tech companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, face similar claims at the CAT. Google’s case over Play Store commissions is set to begin in October 2026, alongside a parallel claim by Epic Games, which is also pursuing litigation against Apple in the US.
