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 Kent

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.

In 2024, Dr Kent began hosting the “Digital Health Diagnosed” podcast which explores how technology impacts our health. Earlier this year, Dr Kent invited Sofie Edwards and Anna Stellardi of Hausfeld to join her on the Digital Health Diagnosed podcast to explore the complexities of the Apple App Store case. The episode dives into the case Dr Kent is bringing, supported by Hausfeld, and explores the implications for Apple users. The discussion analyses the broader legal landscape shaping the relationship between tech giants and the user experience.

Listen to the full podcast.

You can learn more about Digital Health Diagnosed on Spotify. Dr Kent can also be found on the following social media channels:

Instagram: @digitalhealthdiagnosedpod
Twitter: @drDigi_Health
YouTube: YouTube channel and
TikTok: @_digitalhealthdiagnosed



Represented Claimants

If you meet the class definition and want to stay up to date, click here:

Stay Up To Date

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.


Hausfeld 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 Vannin Capital, a commercial litigation funder, has agreed to finance the claim.

Latest News

An informal case management conference is taking place remotely at 10.30 am on 29 February 2024, before the Chair of the Tribunal only, and it is not possible to watch this online. It will address the Class Representative’s application for directions that the Defendants be ordered to provide certain data and documents.

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.


The Standard

9 March 2024

Apple’s response to laws aimed at boosting competition between large and small tech firms is cynical

The company has started to reveal how it plans to change its ways to bring itself in line with the new European and British laws. The early signs do not look good for the consumer.

Mlex

14 December 2023

Apple App Store mass claimant seeks more disclosure at UK court

Apple and a class representative wrangled over the disclosure of financial information in a specialized court in London today, in relation to a collective claim on behalf of millions of the US tech giant’s customers.

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.