Apple has asked the UK Court of Appeal to overturn a £1.5 billion antitrust ruling that accused the company of overcharging App Store users. The move escalates one of the biggest competition cases Apple has faced in the UK and keeps millions of consumers waiting for an outcome.
The case centers on a decision made in October by the Competition Appeal Tribunal, which found that Apple abused its dominant position in app distribution on iPhones and iPads. The tribunal said Apple charged commissions of up to 30 percent on App Store purchases between 2015 and 2024, rates it said were higher than a competitive market would allow. According to the ruling, this caused consumer harm worth an estimated £1.5 billion.
The Guardian reported that Apple has now applied directly to the Court of Appeal after the tribunal refused permission to appeal in November. The court has the power to hear the case even though the tribunal declined. The collective action covers about 36 million UK consumers, who are automatically included unless they opt out.
Tribunal Decision
The tribunal said Apple should have charged lower commissions. It is estimated that around 17.5 percent on app sales and 10 percent of in-app purchases would have been more appropriate. The panel admitted this relied on what it called “informed guesswork” based on the evidence.
Apple strongly disagrees. In earlier statements, the company said the tribunal took a flawed view of the app economy. Apple described the App Store as a “thriving and competitive app economy” and said it delivers security, privacy protections, and access to a large marketplace. Apple also said most developers now pay a reduced 15 percent commission.
If the Court of Appeal rejects Apple’s challenge and upholds the ruling, the £1.5 billion award will be shared among eligible UK consumers. Individual payouts would likely be small, but the overall impact would be significant. For now, the case remains a key test of how UK courts handle competition claims against major tech companies like Apple.
