A UK tribunal ruled Apple’s App Store fees and exclusive control unfairly harmed consumers and blocked competition.

A UK tribunal ruled Apple abused its dominant position in app distribution and in-app payments, finding its 30% App Store fees excessive and unfair. The Competition Appeal Tribunal concluded Apple’s exclusive control over iOS app distribution and payment systems blocked competition, limiting consumer choice and inflating prices. The decision, stemming from a class-action lawsuit on behalf of up to 36 million UK users, could lead to hundreds of millions in damages. Apple plans to appeal, calling the ruling flawed, while the case marks a major regulatory challenge to tech giants’ digital practices.