Apple is seeking to appeal a £1.5billion court ruling that found the tech company had overcharged millions of UK customers for years in its App Store. 

The firm has asked the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision that campaigners hailed as the start of a 'tidal shift against big tech'. 

The case is one of several due to go to trial in 2026 as consumers realise the mounting cost of up to 30 per cent that Apple charges on apps and in-app purchases, a cost campaigners have referred to as the 'Apple Tax'. 

If the appeal goes ahead, it will be part of a group of class action lawsuits against Apple and Google seeking more than £6billion in total compensation. 

These cases use an opt-out system, meaning millions of consumers can be included in claims regarding companies that broke competition laws. 

The iPhone maker's decision to appeal comes after the Competition Appeal Tribunal found that Apple had overcharged for app sales and in-app payments, leveraging its 'dominant position' over Apple users.

There are some 36million users of Apple products in the UK, meaning compensation could amount to £40 per user if everyone claimed

The suit relates to charges between 1 October 2015 and 15 November 2024, during which time the claimants say Apple should have charged developers 'non-abusive' fees for App Store distribution, which would have meant lower prices for Apple users.

The ruling could see Apple pay between £27 and £75 to each victim, though the value will depend on how much users spent.

Apple has said it: 'strongly disagrees with this ruling, which takes a flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy. 

'The App Store has benefited businesses and consumers across the U.K., creating a dynamic marketplace where developers compete and users can choose from millions of innovative apps. 

'This ruling overlooks how the App Store helps developers succeed and gives consumers a safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments. 

'The App Store faces vigorous competition from many other platforms - often with far fewer privacy and security protections - giving developers and consumers many options in how they build, share, and download apps.'