Trial in £1.5bn+ Collective Proceedings against Apple over App Store practices commences in January 2025
Dr Rachael Kent’s landmark £1.5bn+ collective proceedings on behalf of over 19 million UK consumers against Apple will proceed to a full 8-week trial from 6 January 2025, with hearings commencing from 13 January 2025.
The claim, initially filed in May 2021, is the first major legal challenge against a Big Tech company to reach full trial in the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal since its powers were enhanced by the Consumer Rights Act in 2015. Due to its groundbreaking use of the collectives regime and the conduct it concerns which goes to the heart of Apple’s business, the case is expected to set an important precedent for the application of UK competition law to the digital economy and consumer rights going forward. A case targeting Google Play Store’s similar practices, brought by Liz Coll, is scheduled to follow in October 2025, further highlighting the growing scrutiny of Big Tech’s app marketplace practices in the UK.
Allegations against Apple
Dr Kent, an expert on the digital economy and lecturer at King’s College London, alleges that Apple’s conduct in relation to its App Store constitutes an abuse of its dominant position. The claim highlights several alleged anti-competitive practices, including:
- Restrictive ecosystem: Apple excludes any alternative app stores from iOS devices, forcing users to rely solely on the App Store.
- High commission fees: Apple imposes an excessive 30% commission on most apps and in-app purchases made through the App Store.
- Payment restrictions: Apple mandates the use of its own payment system for apps and in-app purchases, while blocking other payment methods.
These practices allegedly breach European and UK competition laws and come at the expense of ordinary consumers.
Who is eligible for compensation?
Any consumers and/or businesses that purchased paid apps, subscriptions, or made other in-app purchases within the UK version of the App Store on their iPhone and/or iPad devices at any point between 1 October 2015 and 15 November 2024 may be entitled to compensation. Eligible purchasers are automatically included within the claimant class.
Further information
For more details about the claim, and to check if you or your business are included in the class, visit the claim website. Class members are encouraged to check the website for updates about the claim, including access to Tribunal orders and further guidance.
Media enquiries
Conal Walsh / Richard Seed/ Joshua Wolff, Palatine Communications
AppleClaim@palatine-media.com
Additional information
The legal claim applies to most popular apps on iPhones and iPads, including Fortnite, YouTube, Tinder and many others, that require payment at the point of download, subscription payments, or allow for in-app purchases. It does not apply to apps providing “physical goods or services that will be consumed outside of the app”. These include Deliveroo and Uber, which are not required to use Apple’s payments system or pay Apple the disputed 30% commission.
Affected app purchasers, on whose behalf the class action is brought, will not pay costs or fees to participate in this legal action, which is being funded by Vannin Capital, a global litigation funder. The action is insured, which means that class members have no financial risk in relation to the claim.
Dr Kent is represented by Lesley Hannah, Sofie Edwards, Kio Gwilliam, Emma Poland, Jonathan Amior, Natalie Jukes, Jake Henderson, Abigail Masters and Kazi Elias at law firm Hausfeld & Co.LLP, with barristers Mark Hoskins KC and Matthew Kennedy from Brick Court Chambers, and Tim Ward KC, Michael Armitage and Antonia Fitzpatrick from Monckton Chambers.
