The Competition Appeal Tribunal has today ruled that Apple overcharged millions of UK consumers for nearly a decade — in what could be the biggest collective compensation order in British history.
The judgment marks a defining moment for digital fairness.
After a 28-day trial, the Tribunal found that Apple abused its dominant position by charging excessive commission fees — up to 30% — on purchases made through its App Store. These charges applied to paid apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases on iPhones and iPads between 1 October 2015 and 15 November 2024.
According to the court, fair rates should have been 17.5% for app distribution and 10% for in-app purchases and subscriptions — significantly lower than the rates Apple imposed.
A decisive win for consumers
The case was brought by Dr Rachael Kent, a senior lecturer at King’s College London, and led by law firm Hausfeld & Co LLP. It alleged that Apple’s App Store policies unlawfully restricted competition and inflated prices for both developers and users.
The Tribunal agreed, finding that Apple’s conduct breached UK and EU competition law. Apple’s justification — that its restrictions were necessary to protect privacy and security — was dismissed as neither necessary nor proportionate.
As a result, up to 36 million UK iPhone and iPad users could now be entitled to a share of compensation reported to be worth around £1.5 billion.
What the ruling means for you
If you’ve ever paid for an app, a subscription (like Spotify, Tinder or Netflix), or made in-app purchases through the UK App Store between October 2015 and November 2024, you could be eligible for compensation.
This includes:
Paid apps
App subscriptions (streaming, fitness, news, and more)
In-app purchases for digital content or game features
Compensation amounts will depend on how much individuals spent in the App Store during that period. Businesses based in the UK that spent money in the App Store during this period are also covered.
A message to Big Tech
The ruling sends a powerful message: no company is above the law.
For years, Apple used its near-total control of the iOS ecosystem to block alternative app stores and payment systems — forcing developers and consumers alike to accept inflated prices.
The Tribunal made clear that this behaviour harmed competition and choice, and that consumers deserve redress.
What happens next?
The Tribunal’s decision confirms Apple’s liability and sets out the framework for compensation. The next step is to determine how much each consumer will receive and how claims will be processed.
While it’s too early to put a figure on individual payouts, consumer advocates say the sums could be meaningful — particularly for regular App Store users over the ten-year period.
It’s expected that affected consumers will be able to register their interest and submit claims through the authorised claims website.
Why this matters
This is the first UK collective action against a major tech company to succeed at trial, making it a watershed moment for consumer rights and competition law. It also demonstrates how the UK’s collective proceedings regime is giving consumers a voice in challenging powerful global corporations.
Join the Claim will continue to follow this case closely and provide updates as compensation arrangements are finalised.
If you bought apps, subscriptions or made in-app purchases between 2015 and 2024, you could be entitled to compensation.
Join the Claim connects consumers with trusted, SRA-regulated law firms. For this claim, we’re not directly involved, but we’ll keep you informed. Where possible, we’ll share links to official claim websites or updates as they become available.
