Timeline

The Competition and Markets Authority launches an investigation into Apple’s conduct in relation to the distribution of apps on iOS and iPadOS devices in the UK, in particular, the terms and conditions governing app developers’ access to Apple’s App Store. The investigation is ongoing.

The Dutch Competition Authority issues a decision against Apple that it breached Dutch and EU competition law by imposing unreasonable conditions on dating app developers through requiring them to use Apple’s billing system for user transactions and prohibiting them from referring users to alternative payment methods.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers rules that Apple’s anti-steering provisions are anticompetitive and therefore unlawful. As a result, Judge Gonzalez-Rogers issued a permanent injunction in the US preventing Apple from enforcing its anti-steering provisions. Apple’s attempts to appeal the injunction were unsuccessful.

The Competition and Markets Authority publishes its final report following a market study into Apple’s and Google’s mobile ecosystems, which finds (amongst other things) that the lack of competition faced by the App Store allows Apple to charge above a competitive rate of commission to app developers.

Dr Sean Ennis’s claim is filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of UK app developers.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal hears Apple’s application to dismiss the Ennis claim on the basis that it does not have jurisdiction.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal hands down its judgment dismissing Apple’s jurisdiction challenge in its entirety.

The European Commission finds that Apple’s anti-steering provisions amount to unfair trading conditions and fines Apple over €1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iOS users.

In March 2024, the European Commission announced an investigation into Apple’s App Store fee structure compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The investigation is ongoing.

CAT sets out directions for a certification hearing to be heard in September 2024. This will be the hearing at which the CAT will determine whether Dr Ennis’s claim should proceed.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal rules that Dr Ennis’s application to represent UK app developers against Apple will be granted.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal certifies Dr Ennis as the Class Representative to bring his claim on behalf of UK app developers.