EU Court Clears Path for €637 Million Dutch Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple’s App Store
A European Union court has greenlit a landmark €637 million damages claim against Apple, filed by Dutch consumer groups Right to Consumer Justice and App Stores Claims. The lawsuit alleges Apple abused its market dominance by imposing unfair 30% commissions on in-app purchases, inflating costs for 14 million Dutch users.
The ruling rejected Apple's jurisdictional challenge, noting the App Store's Dutch-language interface and local payment systems established clear ties to the Netherlands. This sets a precedent for EU antitrust enforcement against tech giants' digital marketplaces.
Legal experts suggest the case could Ripple through crypto app markets, where Apple's fees have similarly impacted blockchain-based services. The decision arrives as regulators globally scrutinize app store monopolies and their effects on emerging sectors like decentralized finance.
