UK Tribunal Rules Apple Abused App Store Dominance; £1.5 Billion Claim Moves to Damages Stage

The Big Picture

Apple lost a landmark UK class-action case after the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) found the company abused its dominant position through the App Store and charged “excessive and unfair” commissions to developers, costs that were passed on to consumers. A follow-on hearing will determine damages and address Apple’s request to appeal.

The case was brought on behalf of tens of millions of iPhone and iPad users by academic Rachael Kent, who argued Apple’s rules blocked rival app distribution and forced purchases through Apple’s own system. The tribunal’s judgment concluded Apple shut out competition in app distribution and payments, breaching competition law over a period that included 2015–2020.

What’s New

In its detailed findings, the tribunal said developers were typically charged up to 30% commission and found that rate to be above a fair level, with a significant portion of the overcharge borne by consumers. Claimants put the potential compensation at more than £1.5 billion. The judgment is published under neutral citation [2025] CAT 67.

What They’re Saying

Context

The collective action is structured under the UK’s opt-out regime, meaning affected consumers are automatically included unless they opt out. The tribunal said the claim concerns alleged exclusionary practices in “iOS app distribution services” and “iOS in-app payment services,” along with excessive pricing through headline commissions. The panel’s judgment runs hundreds of pages and addresses both market definition and pass-through of developer overcharges to end users.

What’s Next

The tribunal has set a subsequent hearing to determine how damages will be calculated and whether Apple receives permission to appeal — steps that will shape the timeline for any consumer payouts, the tribunal said.

The Bottom Line

The ruling is a major win for the class representative and sets up a consequential damages phase. Apple’s planned appeal means the legal fight over App Store rules and pricing is far from over.

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