Dutch Class-Action Seeks Almost $5.6B From Apple for App Store Overcharges
A Dutch non-profit wants to put a €5 billion dent into Apple–the sum it plans to seek in a class-action lawsuit targeting alleged App Store overcharges.
The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation is seeking roughly $5.6 billion in damages and is inviting EU users who have purchased an iPhone or iPad app or made an in-app purchase with either device to join the claim.
“Consumers have been overcharged 5 billion euros for their app and in-app purchases and should demand a refund,” the foundation’s site says. “Apple has reaped this excess profit by abusing its market dominance at the expense of European consumers.”
That Amsterdam-based non-profit does not seem to have filed the lawsuit in question yet; its PR firm did not respond to an email sent Wednesday morning asking about that. Apple PR did not respond to a request for comment either.
Apple’s tight control over App Store digital transactions–it requires them to flow through its own payment system, takes a cut of 15% or 30%, and bans developers from even mentioning other payment alternatives in their apps–has long drawn objections from developers and customer advocates.
More recently, European regulators have moved to take action against Apple. In late December, the Dutch government’s Authority for Consumers & Markets instructed Apple to ease its App Store’s “unreasonable conditions” and allow dating-app providers to use payment systems of their choice, lest it incur fines topping out at €50 million.
Apple replied that it would allow dating apps to use alternative payment methods. But Cupertino revealed that its new ”StoreKit External Purchase” entitlements would require dating-app developers to ship separate app builds for the Dutch market and then give Apple a 27%
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