Landmark ruling against Apple paves the way for UK iPhone and iPad users to claim compensation

A landmark legal ruling by the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has found in favour of Dr Rachael Kent in her collective action against Apple Inc., marking the first case of its kind against a global tech giant in the UK.

The case, Dr Rachael Kent v (1) Apple Inc. (2) Apple Distribution International Ltd [2025] CAT 67, could result in £1.5 billion in compensation being returned to around 36 million UK consumers and businesses who have used iPhones or iPads to purchase apps, subscriptions, or in-app digital content through Apple’s App Store.

Robert Marcus, a commercial lawyer and Senior Partner at Jurit LLP, explains what the case was about and its wider ramifications.

Dr Kent, acting as a representative claimant, brought collective proceedings under section 47B of the Competition Act 1998, combining claims that Apple had breached UK and EU competition law by abusing its dominant market position.

The case centred on Apple’s long-standing requirement that all app purchases, subscriptions, and in-app payments on iPhones and iPads must be processed through its own App Store payment system – a system which takes a 30% commission on most transactions.

By blocking developers from offering alternative, potentially cheaper payment options, the Tribunal found that Apple’s practices led to inflated prices for consumers. This resulted in users paying more than they otherwise would have for apps and in-app purchases in popular platforms such as YouTube, Tinder, Fortnite and Candy Crush, among many others.

The Tribunal’s findings

The Tribunal concluded that Apple’s restrictions were anti-competitive and that they could not be justified on the grounds Apple had put forward – namely, the benefits of maintaining a secure and integrated system.

In a clear statement, the Tribunal said:

“[Apple’s] restrictions cannot sensibly be justified as being necessary or proportionate to deliver the benefits which Apple puts forward as flowing from its objective of an integrated and centralised system. On the contrary, the competition which would exist absent the restrictions is in our view much more likely to deliver the benefits that consumers want, in the form and at the price point they want them.”

What this means for UK Apple users

The ruling opens the door for millions of UK iPhone and iPad users to claim compensation from Apple.

If you purchased paid-for apps, app subscriptions or made in-app purchases of digital content through the UK version of the App Store at any time since 1 October 2015, you may be eligible.

To check, users can log in to their App Store account and review their Purchase History to confirm relevant transactions.

A powerful precedent

This case sets a powerful precedent for collective consumer actions in the UK against major global technology companies.

It signals that UK courts are prepared to hold dominant digital platforms accountable for anti-competitive conduct that harms consumers and developers alike.

It may also encourage greater competition and transparency in digital marketplaces, potentially leading to lower app prices and more flexible payment options for users in the future.

It represents a significant victory for consumers and paves the way for large-scale redress, whilst reinforcing the principle that even the most powerful global tech companies must operate within fair competition rules – and that users deserve genuine choice and fair pricing.