Small Canadian Tech Firm Mounts Global Antitrust Fight Against Apple After App Removal

Rave, a social streaming company based in Hamilton, says its app—designed to let users watch movies and television together remotely by synchronizing playback across devices—was taken off Apple’s App Store in 2025 and later blocked across Apple operating systems. According to a statement contained in court filings, the startup says the removal has severely damaged its operations and threatens its ability to continue as a business.

The company, which employs just 12 people, is now pursuing legal action in several countries as it attempts to restore access to Apple users. Per a statement included in a filing submitted on May 7, Rave has asked Canada’s Competition Tribunal for permission to move forward with a formal competition case. The startup is also pursuing antitrust claims in the United States, while separate legal proceedings are underway in the Netherlands, Brazil, and Russia.

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In its Canadian filing, Rave alleges Apple engaged in conduct that restricted competition by removing the app and marking it as malicious software within the iOS environment. According to a statement in the filing, the company is seeking both temporary and permanent relief that would require Apple to restore the platform to its systems. Rave is also seeking financial compensation totaling $25 million, along with additional damages tied to what it claims Apple earned through the alleged conduct.

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Related: Rave Sues Apple in Antitrust Case Over App Store Removal

The startup argues Apple’s actions violate provisions of Canada’s Competition Act related to abuse of dominance and refusal to supply. Those allegations have not been proven in court.

Rave chief executive Michael Pazaratz said in a statement that the removal of the app “has harmed consumers significantly by limiting choice and effectively preventing Apple customers from co-viewing and connecting with non-Apple customers.”

Apple has denied the allegations. In comments provided to Reuters, the company said it removed Rave after what it described as “repeated guideline violations.” Apple said the concerns included reports of pornographic content, pirated material, and complaints involving child sexual abuse material, or CSAM. Per a statement from Apple, the company said it raised those issues with Rave’s developers on multiple occasions before removing the app.

Rave has pushed back against those accusations. A spokesperson for the company described Apple’s claims as “baseless and extraordinary,” adding that Rave has “zero tolerance for unlawful or exploitative content and has developed industry-leading content moderation and age verification technologies that are far superior to comparable apps that remain on the App Store.”

The company also pointed to its public safety policies, which outline the use of machine learning systems and human moderation to detect harmful or illegal material.

In legal filings in the United States, Rave has also highlighted what it says is inconsistent enforcement across Apple’s marketplace, citing platforms such as Roblox, operated by Roblox Corporation. Roblox has faced multiple lawsuits involving allegations related to child safety, though the company has denied wrongdoing and said it actively enforces platform safety rules.

Source: Betakit