Apple Held in Contempt for App Store Payment Policy Violations

Published 2 hours agoAAPL

Apple Held in Contempt for App Store Payment Policy Violations

A significant legal development unfolded recently as a U.S. federal judge found Apple in contempt of a prior court order. On April 30, 2025, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple violated an injunction that required the company to allow more competition in its App Store, focusing on alternative payment methods. Reuters reported that this ruling comes as the court identified Apple's imposition of new fees and restrictions on alternative payment systems as non-compliant with the directive from 2021.

Apple introduced a 27% fee for external purchases and issued warnings regarding external links, which Judge Gonzalez Rogers deemed hindrances to fair competition. As a result of these actions, she referred Apple and its finance vice president, Alex Roman, to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt, citing misleading testimony. Meanwhile, this ruling was seen as a win by Epic Games, the creator of 'Fortnite,' whose CEO Tim Sweeney indicated plans to return the game to the App Store, viewing the decision as beneficial for developers and consumers.

In response to the ruling, Apple announced its intention to appeal but stated that it would comply during the process. The company's strategy indicates readiness to adapt in the face of continuing legal challenges, all while undergoing scrutiny for maintaining competitive balance within its widely used App Store ecosystem.

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