Represented Claimants
If you meet the class definition and want to stay up to date, click here:
Stay Up To Date
Have you spent money in the App Store?
If so, you may be entitled to compensation.
Why this website?
This website explains the legal claim brought by Dr Kent against Apple. Dr Kent alleges that Apple has contravened competition law. Dr Kent’s claim is an opt-out collective claim, which means that she automatically represents all those who fit the class definition, who are called class members. If you have spent money in the App Store, then you are likely included as a class member represented by Dr Kent.
The claim
Apple has allegedly breached UK competition law by excluding competition and/or charging an unfair and excessive level of commission - usually as much as 30% - on purchases of paid apps and in-app purchases of digital content, services or subscriptions in the App Store.
What does this mean to you?
If you (or your business) have purchased an app or in-app digital content, services or subscriptions in the App Store on your iPhone or iPad since 1 October 2015 you (or your business) may be eligible for compensation.
How to get involved:
If you meet the class definition and want to stay up to date, click the “Stay Up to Date” button below.
About Us
Dr Rachael Kent
Dr Rachael Kent is a world-leading researcher, author, consultant, podcast host, and Senior Lecturer in Digital Economy and Society at King’s College London, where her research examines the impact of digital technology on mental and physical health.
Dr Rachael Kent v. Apple
Dr Kent is the first female class representative in UK legal history, leading a collective action against Apple on behalf of 19.6 million UK consumers, alleging they have breached competition law and overcharged for app purchases, seeking over £1bn in compensation. See: Competition Appeals Tribunal | Press & Interviews Here
Consultancy
Dr Kent is the founder of tech-wellbeing consultancy Dr Digital Health, providing evidence-based research and strategy for businesses and employees on managing tech saturation, and how tech ‘addiction’ impacts mental and physical health in everyday professional and personal life. Some of Dr Kent’s clients include the NHS, the UK Government, Vivo Barefoot, Paramount, and CBS.
Podcast
Dr Kent is the host of 'Digital Health Diagnosed: Your Dose of Tech Wellbeing' produced by Mic'd Productions, the first evidence-based podcast diagnosing how technology impacts your health. Digital Health Diagnosed has been featured on ITV News and has high-profile expert guests such as Ben West, Sophie Medlin, and Made in Chelsea's Miles Nazaire.
Publications & Press
Dr Kent’s first book 'The Digital Health Self-Wellness, Self-Tracking, and Social Media' was published in May 2023 by Bristol University Press.
Dr Kent's research regularly appears in press and podcasts including BBC News, Forbes Magazine, Runners World, BrainCare, Metro UK, Heat Magazine, Women and Home Magazine, The Daily Mail, The Independent, MixMag, Health and Wellbeing Magazine, and Glamour Magazine.
Dr Kent can also be found on the following social media channels:
Instagram: @digitalhealthdiagnosedpod
X: @drDigi_Health
YouTube: YouTube channel and
TikTok: @_digitalhealthdiagnosed
Dr Kent represents all persons (including businesses) who purchased for themselves or on someone else’s behalf an app or digital content, services or subscriptions within an app from an iPhone or iPad device in the UK storefront of the App Store since 1 October 2015.
To understand if you could be included in the claim, answer these questions:
- Have you spent anything in the App Store since 1 October 2015?
- Were you using an iPhone or iPad device?
- Were you using the UK storefront of the App Store?
- Were you living in the UK on 5 May 2022?
If your answer to each question is YES then you are likely to be included in Dr Kent’s claim unless you opted out of the claim by 9 September 2022.
Dr Kent has instructed the law firm Hausfeld & Co. LLP to represent her in the claim. Hausfeld is a leading international law firm specialising in competition law, with significant expertise in all aspects of collective redress and group claims.
Vannin Capital, a commercial litigation funder, has agreed to finance the claim.
Latest News
Dr Kent’s application for a Collective Proceedings Order was granted by the Competition Appeal Tribunal on 5 May 2022. This means that Dr Kent’s claim will proceed to trial in January 2025, unless it is settled beforehand, on behalf of the class. The Collective Proceedings Order can be accessed here and the corresponding judgment of the Competition Appeal Tribunal can be accessed here.
The trial is due to commence on 13 January 2025 with a time estimate of seven weeks. It will also be possible to watch the trial via a livestream link that will be listed on the Competition Appeal Tribunal website, which can be accessed here.
If you are intending to follow the trial livestream, please review the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s guidance note for the public on livestream hearings, which can be accessed here.
Reuters
13 January 2025
Apple fights $1.8 billion App Store lawsuit in first of UK class actions against tech giants
Apple has abused its dominant position by charging app developers an unfair 30% commission through its App Store, costing British consumers up to 1.5 billion pounds ($1.8 billion), a London tribunal heard on Monday.
The Wall Street
Journal
13 January 2025
Apple Faces $1.8 Billion Lawsuit in U.K. Court Over App Store
Apple is defending itself in the first hearing of a $1.8 billion U.K. class action lawsuit accusing the iPhone maker of abusing its dominance in the digital economy and overcharging customers on its App Store.
The Guardian
13 January 2025
Apple dominates market with ‘total shutout’ of rivals, UK court hears
Apple has been accused of dominating the tech market with a “total shutout” of competitors as it faces claims it overcharged customers of the UK App Store, a court has heard.