Apple Faces Huge Payout After Losing UK Case

A UK competition tribunal ruled that Apple charged excessive and unfair app store fees to developers. The lawyers who brought the case believe this paves the way for a £1.5 billion compensation payout to consumers and businesses who subsequently overpaid.

The lawsuit was heard by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) after being brought by academic Rachael Kent as a collective action for consumers against the company. Complaints surround app commission fees charged by Apple for purchases made on iPhones or iPads since 1 October 2015. In its judgment, the CAT found Apple abused its “dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices” in commission to developers for iOS app distribution and in-app purchases.

Kent’s legal company, Hausfeld & Co, described the ruling as a landmark legal victory for UK consumers, which paves the way for £1.5 billion in compensation to be returned to nearly 36 million UK consumers and businesses. “The Tribunal found that Apple’s dominance of the App Store allowed it to shut out competition, stifle innovation and impose inflated fees on app developers, costs that were ultimately passed on to users,” it noted in its assessment of the decision, highlighting the company had broken European Union and UK laws.

The CAT plans to hold a hearing on the first convenient date after 3 November 2025, with parties to discuss any appeals, costs, and other consequential issues. Apple announced plans to appeal the decision.