Apple is sued in London for allegedly abusing its power by imposing stricter App Tracking Transparency rules on third‑party developers than on its own services.

Apple is confronting a £2 billion lawsuit in the UK after a group of developers claimed the tech giant’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) rules unfairly target third‑party apps while exempting its own services.

Background to the legal challenge

The claim was filed in the High Court of London by a coalition of app developers who argue that Apple’s ATT framework imposes stricter consent requirements on external apps than on Apple‑owned offerings such as iMessage and Safari.

Under the current ATT policy, users must explicitly opt‑in to be tracked by apps, a step that Apple says enhances privacy. Critics, however, contend that Apple’s own services can continue to collect data without the same level of user consent, giving the company a competitive edge.

Key allegations

  • Apple allegedly abuses its dominant market position to impose unequal tracking rules.
  • The ATT requirements are claimed to be more burdensome for third‑party developers, increasing compliance costs.
  • Apple’s own apps are said to be exempt from the consent prompts that other apps must display.

The plaintiffs seek damages of up to £2 billion, arguing that the disparity harms competition and violates UK competition law. They also request an injunction forcing Apple to apply the same transparency standards across all its services.

Apple’s response

Apple’s legal team has denied the accusations, stating that the ATT policy applies uniformly and that any perceived differences stem from the distinct functionalities of its own apps. The company maintains that its approach complies with global privacy regulations, including the EU’s GDPR.

In a brief statement, Apple said it “remains committed to user privacy and will vigorously defend against any unfounded claims that seek to undermine its legitimate business practices.”

Potential impact on the tech industry

If the court rules in favor of the developers, Apple could be forced to redesign its ATT framework, potentially reshaping privacy standards across the app ecosystem. Such a precedent might also inspire similar lawsuits in other jurisdictions where Apple’s market power is under scrutiny.

Analysts note that a ruling against Apple could encourage regulators worldwide to examine the company’s ecosystem more closely, especially as concerns over data privacy continue to rise.

Times Live coverage of Apple’s £2 bn UK lawsuit over app tracking rules