Represented Claimants
If you meet the class definition and want to stay up to date, click here:
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Have you spent money in the App Store?
If so, you may be entitled to compensation.
Why this website?
This website explains the legal claim brought by Dr Kent against Apple. Dr Kent alleges that Apple has contravened competition law. Dr Kent’s claim is an opt-out collective claim, which means that she automatically represents all those who fit the class definition, who are called class members. If you have spent money in the App Store, then you are likely included as a class member represented by Dr Kent.
The claim
Apple has allegedly breached UK competition law by excluding competition and/or charging an unfair and excessive level of commission - usually as much as 30% - on purchases of paid apps and in-app purchases of digital content, services or subscriptions in the App Store.
What does this mean to you?
If you (or your business) have purchased an app or in-app digital content, services or subscriptions in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad since 1 October 2015 you (or your business) may be eligible for compensation.
If you meet the class definition and want to stay up to date, click the “Stay Up to Date” button below.
About Us
Dr Rachael Kent
Dr Rachael Kent, a lecturer in Digital Economy and Society Education at King’s College London, dedicates her professional life to researching consumers’ interaction with digital platforms and apps, including in relation to issues around the cost of paid apps and in-app purchases. Her research focusses on how digital platforms and apps impact society, consumer behaviour and welfare. She previously worked for the consumer complaints organisation, Resolver.
Passionate about representing the welfare and rights of consumers, she has been authorised by the Competition Appeal Tribunal to represent all members of the public (including businesses) who may have been overcharged by Apple in the App Store. If successful, every member of the class may be entitled to compensation.
Dr Kent represents all persons (including businesses) who purchased for themselves or on someone else’s behalf an app or digital content, services or subscriptions within an app from an iPhone or iPad device in the UK storefront of the App Store since 1 October 2015.
To understand if you could be included in the claim, answer these questions:
- Have you spent anything in the App Store since 1 October 2015?
- Were you using an iPhone or iPad device?
- Were you using the UK storefront of the App Store?
- Were you living in the UK on 5 May 2022?
If your answer to each question is YES then you are likely to be included in Dr Kent’s claim unless you opted out of the claim by 9 September 2022.
Dr Kent has instructed the law firm Hausfeld & Co. LLP to represent her in the claim. Hausfeld is a leading international law firm specialising in competition law, with significant expertise in all aspects of collective redress and group claims.
Vannin Capital, a commercial litigation funder, has agreed to finance the claim.
Latest News
The next hearing will take place at 10.30 am on 14 December 2023 (with the morning of 15 December 2023 in reserve) at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, Salisbury Square House, 8 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AP. It will address: (i) the parties’ expert issues proposals, (ii) outstanding disclosure issues and (iii) any outstanding issues relating to the Class Representative’s funding arrangements. The hearing may be followed via the Tribunal’s website (a “Watch now” link to view the hearing will appear on the hearing date under the Diary list on the following pages: https://www.catribunal.org.uk/ and https://www.catribunal.org.uk/diary/).
Dr Kent’s application for a Collective Proceedings Order was granted by the Competition Appeal Tribunal on 5 May 2022. This means that Dr Kent’s claim will proceed to trial, unless it is settled beforehand, on behalf of the class. The Collective Proceedings Order can be accessed here and the corresponding judgment of the Competition Appeal Tribunal can be accessed here. The trial will commence on 13 January 2025 with a time estimate of seven weeks. Details for following the trial will be added to this website nearer the time.
Imore
2 July 2022
20 million U.K. iPhone, iPad users could get compensation in £1.5B lawsuit
It alleges that 19.6 million iPhone and iPad users in the U.K. may have been overcharged as a result of breaches by Apple of British and European competition laws.
Tech Story
2 July 2022
20 million U.K. iPhone, iPad users could get compensation in £1.5B lawsuit
20 million people who use Apple’s iPhone and iPad in the United Kingdom might get a large amount as compensation if a recent £1.5 billion action law against the tech giant is successful.
Daily Express
2 July 2022
Ever downloaded an app on your iPhone? You might be owed compensation
APPLE fans that have ever downloaded an app onto their iPhone or iPad could be owed compensation, thanks to legal action that has been launched on behalf of millions of UK customers.