Apple is facing another challenge in Europe. A few days back, we found out that the tech giant will have to allow sideloading and third-party app stores in the EU market. Now Apple is facing legal trouble as a Dutch foundation has filed a lawsuit over the App Store’s developer fees seeking $6 billion in damages.
The Dutch Consumer Competition Claims Foundation has stated that it was filing a lawsuit for a collective claim of $6 Billion in damages against Apple in a press release. Their issue is that they are against Apple’s monopolization policies. So, they are acting on behalf of any iPhone or iPad owners in the EU who have downloaded a paid app or made purchases within an app.
More details of the lawsuit
The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation alleges that developer fees of Apple were passed on to consumers as higher prices. App developers are forced to pass on to consumers the increased costs caused by Apple’s monopolistic practices and unfair terms wrote the foundation in its press release. The foundation is suing Apple on behalf of consumers, not developers.
Last January, Apple faced a lot of scrutiny from the developers’ community due to its so-called “Apple Tax.” The foundation asks EU consumers who purchased an app in App Store or made an in-app purchase since September 2009 to join its complaint. The lawsuit is set to be filed in the Amsterdam District Court.
This isn’t the first time Apple has had trouble with Dutch authorities. As per the latest reports, Apple has not yet complied with a January order from Dutch regulators requiring the company to offer third-party payment options for dating app customers. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) charges a hefty fine of $5.5 million every week from Apple.
Dutch regulators have already fined Apple for more than $50 million and counting. According to the latest report from TechCrunch, there’s a sign of a potential compromise. Apple is working on an amended proposal for its dating app policy, which ACM will review.
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