Apple Faces UK Payout After Losing App Store Antitrust Lawsuit Apple has lost a major antitrust lawsuit in the United Kingdom and will be required to pay money to UK iPhone users. A tribunal ruled that the tech giant abused its powerful market position to inflate fees for developers, costs which were ultimately passed on to consumers. The UKs Competition Appeal Tribunal delivered the decision on Thursday, finding that Apple holds near absolute market power for distributing iOS apps and processing in-app payments. The ruling declared that Apple has been abusing its dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices. According to reports, Apple plans to appeal the decision. The class action lawsuit was brought on behalf of an estimated 36 million consumers in the UK. The claimants have stated that total damages could be around 1.5 billion pounds, which would be distributed among those users. A follow-up hearing to determine the exact process for calculating the damages could take place as soon as next month. This legal defeat is the latest sign of Apples increasingly strained relationship with regulators in Europe. Earlier this week, the company escalated its criticism of the European Unions Digital Markets Act, a sweeping law designed to curb the power of big tech companies and protect consumers. Furthermore, on Wednesday, the UKs Competition and Markets Authority officially confirmed that Apple holds a strategic market status under the countrys own new digital markets rules. This designation gives the regulator the authority to intervene and ensure that mobile platforms like iOS are open to effective competition. In response to the tribunal ruling, Apple issued a statement expressing strong disagreement. The company thanked the tribunal for its consideration but called the ruling flawed, arguing that it misrepresents the competitive and thriving nature of the app economy. Apple stated that the App Store has benefited both businesses and consumers in the UK, creating a dynamic marketplace and providing a safe, trusted place for users to discover apps. The company also contended that the App Store faces vigorous competition from other platforms, which it says often have fewer privacy and security protections. Apple confirmed its intention to appeal the decision.
