Apple has lost a class-action lawsuit in the UK over allegations of unfairly high charges for app and subscription payments. As a result of the ruling, the company faces a liability of approximately 1.5 billion pounds sterling against about 36 million users, and this case is being recorded as the first large-scale consumer victory against technology giants in the country.
The editorial reports that the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal, in its extensively reasoned decision dated October 23, 2025, confirmed that Apple abused its market dominance over the App Store. The court deemed the 30% commission charged on in-app purchases excessive and unfair, emphasizing that this rate should be lower in a competitive market.
The lawsuit was filed by Dr. Rachael Kent, an academic from King's College London, and covers users who made payments on the UK App Store via iPhone or iPad between November 2015 and November 2024. Each individual meeting the criteria is expected to receive compensation ranging from approximately £27 to £75.
Apple has stated that it disagrees with the decision and has initiated an appeal process. The company defends the App Store as providing a secure ecosystem and notes that the complaint phase could delay the payment schedule.