Apple is facing a collective action lawsuit in the UK over its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) privacy feature, with claims totaling about £2 billion (reported in some outlets as $2.7 billion). The case is filed with London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal by law firm Hausfeld on behalf of app developers, who argue Apple’s ATT rules are more burdensome for third-party apps than for Apple’s own advertising-related services.
Outlets describe the dispute as focused on whether Apple’s ATT implementation gives Apple an unfair advantage in the advertising market. The feature, introduced in 2021, is intended to let users choose whether apps can track their activity across other apps and websites. Apple says it applies the same requirements to all developers.
Several reports also place the UK case in a wider regulatory context. Some European regulators have investigated ATT, including Germany’s competition authority, and Apple has agreed to changes in the EU. Earlier, the UK proceeding is also noted alongside a separate October tribunal ruling involving Apple’s App Store commission practices, which Apple is appealing. Sources agree the new ATT claim must still be certified before it can proceed.
