Apple Hit with €637 Million EU Court Ruling Over Fees - Tech Giant’s Walled Garden Cracks

Apple's fortress of fees just got a €637 million breach.

The EU's top court delivered a hammer blow to the tech giant's revenue model, siding with regulators who argue Apple's App Store commission structure stifles competition. This isn't just a fine—it's a precedent that could force Silicon Valley's most profitable garden walls to come tumbling down.

The Core of the Conflict

At the heart of the ruling is a simple question: does Apple's control over in-app payments and its 15-30% cut constitute an abuse of power? The court says yes. The decision validates the long-held grievances of developers who've watched a significant slice of their revenue get carved off before it ever reaches their pockets.

A Ripple Effect for Digital Economies

While this ruling targets traditional app stores, its implications echo loudly in the corridors of digital finance. It challenges the very model of centralized platform fees—a concept crypto-native projects have been built to dismantle. Watch for DeFi advocates to seize this moment, arguing that decentralized protocols offer a fairer, user-owned alternative to corporate gatekeepers.

The ruling lands as a stark reminder: in the eyes of regulators, even the most polished user experience doesn't justify anti-competitive toll booths. For a company that famously keeps billions in cash offshore, a €637 million penalty might just be a cost of doing business—another line item for the finance team to optimize, right next to their tax strategies.

TLDR

• The EU’s top court has ruled that Apple can be sued in the Netherlands over its App Store commission fees.
• Two Dutch consumer groups have filed a lawsuit seeking €637 million in damages for unfair app fees.
• Apple’s 30% cut on in-app purchases is at the center of the legal claim, which targets alleged abuse of market dominance.
• The lawsuit could impact around 14 million Dutch users who are said to have paid inflated app prices.
• The Dutch court will hear the full case by early 2026, potentially leading to one of the largest damages payouts Apple has faced in Europe.

Apple faces a €637 million damages claim after a ruling by the EU’s top court. The decision clears the way for a Dutch lawsuit targeting Apple’s App Store fees. The lawsuit accuses Apple of imposing excessive charges on developers, which allegedly led to inflated costs for users.

Apple Sued Over Abusive App Store Fees

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that Apple can be sued in the Netherlands over its App Store practices. Consumer groups Right to Consumer Justice and App Stores Claims filed the lawsuit, seeking damages for unfair commission fees. The groups argue that Apple’s 30% cut on in-app purchases harmed millions of users by driving up app prices.

Apple had attempted to block the case, claiming the Dutch courts had no jurisdiction over the matter. The company argued that the alleged harm did not occur in the Netherlands. However, the CJEU rejected this argument, stating that the impact was directly tied to Dutch users.

The consumer groups claim that Apple’s practices harmed around 14 million Dutch users. This includes an estimated seven million iPhone and seven million iPad users. Rogier Meijer, a lawyer representing App Stores Claims, stated that the damages were estimated at €637 million, including statutory interest.

The lawsuit focuses on Apple’s control over the App Store and its app commission fees. The groups argue that these fees are abusive and represent a monopoly on the app marketplace. This lawsuit follows Apple’s continued defense of its App Store practices in various legal battles worldwide.

Dutch Court to Hear the Case

The Dutch court will now proceed with the case. The full hearing on the substance of the lawsuit is expected to take place by early 2026. This marks the beginning of a legal battle that could result in one of the largest damages payouts Apple has faced in Europe.

Apple is now required to defend its App Store fee structure in the Netherlands. The case could set a precedent for similar legal challenges against the tech giant in other European countries. The ruling has made clear that Apple’s practices can be challenged under Dutch jurisdiction.

As the case progresses, Apple will have to face a court decision that could have serious financial implications. The company’s App Store commission system remains a central point of contention. How the Dutch court rules could have a lasting impact on Apple’s business operations across Europe.