Apple is currently embroiled in a new legal battle involving its App Store payment policies. A class-action lawsuit has been initiated by a group of app developers alleging that Apple has failed to comply with a court order regarding payment methods in apps. This lawsuit, filed on May 2, 2025, contends that Apple continues to restrict developers from offering alternative payment options outside of its App Store, using intimidation tactics against those who attempt to do so. The developers believe these actions are intended to maintain Apple’s commission fees, which typically stand at 30%.
The core issue at the heart of this lawsuit is Apple’s longstanding practice of charging commissions for in-app purchases and subscriptions. While Apple reduced this fee to 15% for developers earning less than $1 million annually in 2020, many developers still seek to employ different payment methods to circumvent these fees or to pass savings onto consumers. The law firm Hagens Berman, representing the plaintiffs and led by Pure Sweat Basketball, Inc., claims that Apple’s policies have negatively impacted possibly over 100,000 developers who have been forced to pay commissions that they argue should not have been collected. This legal action is part of a broader narrative surrounding disputes over app store regulations.
Epic Games, known for its title Fortnite, has gained notoriety for challenging Apple’s App Store fee structure while also facing similar issues with Google’s Play Store. As this ongoing debate continues, developers are advocating for greater autonomy and a fairer revenue distribution, while tech companies like Apple maintain that their platforms promote user safety and improved visibility for developers. Global regulations, like the European Digital Markets Act, are also prompting changes in app store practices, thereby highlighting a shift towards a more open market. How Apple responds to these pressures will significantly influence the app distribution model and the financial landscape for developers in both the U.S. and abroad.