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EU Court Clears Way for Dutch Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple

By  |  December 2, 2025

Apple can be sued in the Netherlands for alleged antitrust damages tied to its App Store, according to Reuters, after Europe’s top court ruled that Dutch courts have the authority to hear compensation claims.

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    The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), based in Luxembourg, issued the decision on Tuesday in a case brought by two consumer rights foundations seeking potentially hundreds of millions of euros on behalf of Apple device users. Per Reuters, the groups — Right to Consumer Justice and App Stores Claims — accuse Apple of anti-competitive behavior that harmed consumers who purchased apps on iPhones and iPads.

    In documents cited by Reuters, lawyer Rogier Meijer of Hausfeld, who represents App Stores Claims, said: “On the basis of the available information, in the writ of summons the damage suffered by seven million affected iPhone users and seven million affected iPad users, was estimated at around 637 million euros (including statutory interest).” He also noted that a full hearing could move ahead in a Dutch court near the end of the first quarter of 2026, according to Reuters.

    Read more: Apple Moves to Halt India Antitrust Case Over Penalty Rules

    The foundations argue that Apple’s fees for developers — including commissions of up to 30% on in-app purchases — are excessive and represent an abuse of market dominance, per Reuters. They claim that consumers ultimately pay the price for those charges.

    Apple has disputed the allegations and previously argued that Dutch courts lacked jurisdiction because the company’s alleged conduct did not take place in the Netherlands. The CJEU rejected that position, saying the App Store at issue is targeted specifically at Dutch users and operates in Dutch for those with Apple IDs linked to the Netherlands.

    Judges stated: “The damage allegedly suffered when purchases are made in that virtual space can therefore occur in that territory, irrespective of the place where the users concerned were situated at the time of the purchase.” They also added: “The Netherlands court therefore has international and territorial jurisdiction.”

    Apple declined to comment on the ruling, Reuters reported.

    The case is registered as C-34/24 Stichting Right to Consumer Justice and Stichting App Stores Claims.

    Source: Reuters