{"id":4074,"date":"2025-10-23T23:10:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T23:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/millions-of-uk-apple-users-could-get-pay-out-after-court-ruling\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T23:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T23:10:59","slug":"millions-of-uk-apple-users-could-get-pay-out-after-court-ruling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/millions-of-uk-apple-users-could-get-pay-out-after-court-ruling\/","title":{"rendered":"Millions of UK Apple users could get pay-out after court ruling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Millions of UK Apple users could get pay-out after court ruling<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new\" class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-0 fYJjWP\">\n<div class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-1 jqWinX\"><time datetime=\"2025-10-23T18:08:48.280Z\" class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-2 dQuPjg\">5 hours ago<\/time><\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors\" class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-11 ljQVMv\" readability=\"1\"><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors-contributor-0\" class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-5 xGeVU\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-7 djOqvY\">Chris Vallance<\/span><span data-testid=\"byline-new-contributors-contributor-0-role-location\" class=\"sc-7bfdb3c2-8 gvcwmG\">Senior Technology Reporter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 eRlINq\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/qtPrLa.png\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5916\/live\/196cf920-b036-11f0-a375-75de819286d1.jpg.webp\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Getty Images A white flag bearing a gold apple logo hangs outside the stone front of an apple store\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\" readability=\"19.490415335463\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Apple could be forced to pay up to \u00a31.5bn in damages after losing a collective legal action court case brought on behalf of 36 million UK iPhone and iPad users, both consumers and businesses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The Competition Appeals Tribunal found that Apple had abused its dominant position by charging &#8220;excessive and unfair&#8221; prices in the form of the 30% commission, which it usually levies both on app sales and in-app payments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The claimants argued that this meant that consumers had been overcharged for apps, subscriptions to apps, and when buying digital content in apps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Apple said it strongly disagreed with the ruling and would appeal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\" readability=\"30\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The case was pursued by academic Dr Rachael Kent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Her lawyers argue it is the first such claim brought under the UK&#8217;s collective action regime to have succeeded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Dr Kent called the decision a &#8220;landmark victory, not only for App Store users, but for anyone who has ever felt powerless against a global tech giant&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;Today&#8217;s ruling sends a clear message: no company, however wealthy or powerful, is above the law.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The tribunal&#8217;s decision comes a day after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) designated both Apple and Google as having &#8220;strategic market status&#8221; &#8211; effectively saying they have a lot of power over mobile platforms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">It means the competition watchdog could force Apple to allow rivals to operate their own app stores on iPhones in the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">This would be a significant change to Apple&#8217;s &#8220;closed system&#8221;, where apps can only be downloaded from its own App Store.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-f98b1ad2-0 gXmhTb\">&#8216;Strongly disagree&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\" readability=\"32\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Apple maintains that because commission is only charged on the sale of paid apps and on in-app purchases, 85% of apps on the App Store do not pay any commission at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">And it points to its introduction of a programme for small businesses where the usual 30% rate of commission is halved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">In a statement sent to the BBC, Apple wrote that it strongly disagreed with the ruling, which took a flawed view of the &#8220;thriving and competitive app economy&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The App Store had benefited businesses and consumers across the UK, it said, and had created a dynamic marketplace where developers compete and users could choose from millions of innovative apps. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">&#8220;This ruling overlooks how the App Store helps developers succeed and gives consumers a safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments,&#8221; Apple said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Adding: &#8220;The App Store faces vigorous competition from many other platforms \u2014 often with far fewer privacy and security protections&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Apple said it intended to appeal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-f98b1ad2-0 gXmhTb\">Who can claim?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\" readability=\"20\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">According to lawyers Hausfeld &amp; Co. LLP, who represented Dr Kent, &#8220;any UK user of an iPhone or iPad who purchased paid-for apps, subscriptions or made in-app purchases of digital content within the UK storefront of the App Store at any point since 1 October 2015 is potentially entitled to compensation from Apple&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The purchases must have been made on iPhone and\/or iPad devices, they add.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">But it has it has yet to be established exactly how much eligible individual consumers or businesses may be able to claim, the BBC has been told.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 GunZh\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/qtPrLa.png\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/41d3\/live\/348b21e0-26a8-11f0-8f57-b7237f6a66e6.png.webp\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A green promotional banner with black squares and rectangles forming pixels, moving in from the right. The text says: \u201cTech Decoded: The world\u2019s biggest tech news in your inbox every Monday.\u201d\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Published at Thu, 23 Oct 2025 18:08:48 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Millions of UK Apple users could get pay-out after court ruling 5 hours ago Chris VallanceSenior Technology Reporter Getty Images Apple could be forced to pay up to \u00a31.5bn in damages after losing a collective legal action court case brought on behalf of 36 million UK iPhone and iPad users, both consumers and businesses. The&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/millions-of-uk-apple-users-could-get-pay-out-after-court-ruling\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Millions of UK Apple users could get pay-out after court ruling<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4075,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4074\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4075"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}