Apple is challenging a significant court ruling that found the company overcharged UK customers a total of £1.5 billion for App Store purchases over several years. The tech giant has filed an appeal with the court of appeal, arguing that the tribunal did not accurately assess the competitive landscape of the app economy.
This ruling could have far-reaching consequences, as if the appeal is unsuccessful, every UK resident who made purchases from the App Store between 2015 and 2024 may be eligible for compensation. The court's decision has been described as a potential catalyst for change in how large tech companies operate, with advocacy groups asserting that it signals a growing movement against perceived abuses by major firms like Apple and Google.
Dr. Rachael Kent, who represented 36 million consumers in the successful case against Apple, noted that this legal victory reflects a broader consumer pushback against the financial burdens imposed by digital services. The collective claims in this legal battle could amount to over £6 billion in total compensation sought from Apple and Google.