Catenaa, Monday, October 27, 2025-A London tribunal ruled that Apple abused its market dominance by charging app developers a 30% commission through its App Store, calling the fee “excessive and unfair.”
The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) found that developers were overcharged by the difference between a fair 17.5% commission and the 30% Apple levied.
The ruling determined that half of this overcharge was passed on to iPhone and iPad users.
The decision marks the first major class-action-style ruling against a global tech giant under the UK’s collective litigation framework. Apple could face damages totaling about £1.5 billion.
The case was led by academic Dr. Rachael Kent, who argued that Apple’s commission system inflated costs for developers and consumers alike.
Apple rejected the judgment and said it would appeal, arguing that the App Store provides a secure and trusted marketplace that benefits developers and users.
The verdict comes amid growing international scrutiny of Apple’s business practices.
The company faces similar legal challenges in the United States and Europe, including cases tied to Epic Games and the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Industry observers said the ruling could pave the way for new collective actions against Big Tech firms, reshaping digital market regulation worldwide.
A UK tribunal ruled Apple abused its dominance by overcharging App Store developers, ordering about £1.5 billion in damages and sparking wider scrutiny.
