LONDON (TechGenez) – Apple is facing a £2 billion ($2.7 billion) lawsuit brought on behalf of app developers in London, accusing the company of abusing its market power through unfair app tracking restrictions.
The case, filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal on Thursday, follows years of regulatory scrutiny over Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature, introduced in 2021 to give users control over whether apps can track their activity across other companies’ apps and websites.
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs argue that the feature imposes stricter requirements on third-party developers than on Apple’s own services, giving the company’s advertising ecosystem an unfair advantage.
Key Allegations
The lawsuit claims Apple’s policy resulted in “very significant harm to businesses that depend on Apple as a gatekeeper.” Lawyers say the rules created an uneven playing field, allowing Apple’s own advertising tools to operate with fewer restrictions than competing developers.
Ann Pope, a former senior official at Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority who is leading the case, said it is important to protect the rights of British businesses that rely on Apple and to ensure the rules applied by the company are fair.
Apple’s Defence
Apple has stated that its App Tracking Transparency feature was created “to give users a simple way to control whether apps have permission to track their activity” and that it is “bound by the exact same requirements as all developers.”
The company has maintained that the tool was designed to protect user privacy and give consumers greater choice and control.
Broader Context
The case is part of a series of regulatory actions against Apple in recent years. In Germany last month, Apple agreed to changes in rules on how app developers can use personal data for targeted advertising after the country’s competition authority accused the company of abusing its market power.
Similar complaints have come from Meta, publishers, advertisers and app developers whose business models rely on advertising tracking. The German fine highlighted concerns about the balance of power between big tech platforms and smaller developers.
Outlook
The UK lawsuit is one of several private actions being prepared or filed in response to Apple’s tracking policies. The case could add to the growing pressure on the company as regulators worldwide examine how its iOS features affect competition and consumer choice.
Apple has not yet commented on the specific lawsuit, but the company continues to say its policies are designed to protect user privacy.
Conclusion
Apple is now facing a major new legal challenge in the United Kingdom over its app tracking rules. The $2.7 billion lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions between big technology companies and developers, as regulators and lawmakers seek to ensure fair competition and protect user privacy in the digital age.
