When purchasing an application in the App Store, or when purchasing content or a subscription in an app, Apple charges a commission that can amount to up to 30%. For many developers, this is far too much: what could be understood in the early years of the store is no longer the case today, while this commission - an "Apple tax", according to its detractors - contributes enormously to the good health of the company's "services" activity.
The "Apple tax" in the crosshairs
Added to this is the ban on alternative stores (outside the European Union), and consequently the lack of viable competition: this is what justifies a complaint filed in 2021 in the United Kingdom against Apple. The trial opened today, Monday 13 January, and will last 7 weeks.
This is a class action, the outcome of which involves all British users (there are 20 million of them) who purchased apps or subscriptions between 2015 and 2024. If the outcome of the trial is favourable to them, then they will be able to claim compensation from Apple. The sum could exceed 1.5 billion pounds, or around 1.8 billion euros.
For its part, Apple is defending itself and talking about a procedure that is "without foundation": the famous 30% is similar to what is practiced elsewhere on other platforms. In addition, small developers benefit from a reduced rate of 15%. Finally, the manufacturer believes that there is no reason to believe that developers would sell their apps or subscriptions cheaper if they did not have to pay a commission.
In any case, it is increasingly difficult for Apple to defend the practices of its store. In the EU, the company must respect rules of opening up to competition, which it fulfills with more or less good will. In the United States, the courts took over with a complaint from the authorities.
Source: AFP
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