A London tribunal ruled that Apple abused its dominant position by charging app developers unfair commissions. The decision could leave the tech giant facing hundreds of millions of pounds in damages.
The U.K.’s Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled Apple abused its dominant position by shutting out rivals in iOS app distribution and charging “excessive and unfair” commissions, following a full trial of a collective action brought by academic Rachael Kent on behalf of millions of iPhone and iPad users.
The judgment sets two fairness benchmarks, 17.5% for app distribution and 10% for in-app payments, and assumes 50% of the developer overcharge was passed on to consumers.
The case has been valued at about £1.5 billion ($2 billion); a hearing next month will address the damages methodology and Apple’s request for permission to appeal.
Apple said it will appeal, calling the decision a “flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy.” The tribunal found abuses under U.K. law across the entire claim period (Oct. 1, 2015–Nov. 15, 2024) and under EU law through Dec. 31, 2020.
A similar U.K. case targeting Google’s Play Store is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
