Stricter European legislation for tech companies entered into force

On 1 November 2022, the Digital Markets Act entered into force. This European law contains new, stricter rules for large tech companies with a so-called gatekeeper function, such as Apple.  Tech companies are given until ultimately 6 March 2024 by the European Commission to comply with the new rules. Gatekeepers that fail to do so risk hefty fines. See our earlier news release for more on this new legislation.  
 
The independent Consumer Competition Claims Foundation welcomes Brussels' introduction of stricter rules for large tech companies.  After all, companies such as Apple have long abused their dominant position by eliminating competition and charging consumers excessively high fees for their services. Fortunately, current competition rules allow action to be taken against this. The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation fights for European consumers who have been duped by Apple.
 
Collective claim against Apple
The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation launched a lawsuit against Apple in March of this year for abuse of power. At issue in that lawsuit is the sky-high commission Apple charges when a consumer purchases an app from the Apple App Store or makes an in-app purchase.  
Ariënne Gommers, competition law expert and Foundation board member: "Apple does not allow competitors to the Apple App Store on its iOS platforms. Thus, Apple does not experience any competitive pressure from other providers and therefore has all the power over the prices. As a result, consumers pay too much. This violates European and Dutch competition rules. "
 
In August 2021, the ACM ruled that Apple was in violation of the law by not allowing competing payment systems for dating apps (link).
 
Sign up now for the European Apple Claim! 
Apple has overcharged European Apple App Store users by more than 5 billion euro since September 2009. The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation recently went to the Dutch courts to file a mass claim, demanding money back for all European iPhone and iPad users who have made an app or in-app purchase through the Apple App Store since September 2009. If you would like to join the claim and also receive compensation from Apple, sign up for free here.