Proton Takes Legal Action Against Apple for ‘Unjustified and Arbitrary’ App Store Fees

Swiss company Proton filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the tech giant has violated U.S. antitrust laws. Proton is aligning itself with an ongoing class-action suit initiated on May 23 involving several Korean developers but has submitted its own legal complaint to bolster the case. Recognized for its privacy-focused products like Proton Mail, which uses client-side encryption, Proton aims to advocate for meaningful reform in Apple’s App Store policies.

In a blog post, Proton explained that its intention in joining the lawsuit is to ensure that any future settlement leads to substantial changes rather than superficial fixes. While the class-action lawsuit seeks financial compensation for developers affected by Apple’s practices, Proton made it clear that any monetary awards it might receive will be donated. The company argues that Apple’s App Store fees perpetuate a “surveillance capitalism” model that benefits companies like Meta and Google at the expense of smaller, privacy-conscious entities.

Proton contends that Apple’s tight control over the App Store undermines fair app distribution and compliance with international government app removal requests. Additionally, Proton highlights how these policies place end users at a disadvantage by restricting the information developers can share and inflating consumer prices. The company notes that Apple’s linking restrictions have prevented it from directing users to essential FAQs and customer support pages within its apps, leading to a subpar user experience.

The lawsuit advocates for changes that would ensure the App Store supports app distribution through alternative marketplaces and allows different payment methods. Proton believes that these reforms are essential for fostering a free and competitive mobile ecosystem that can protect privacy and uphold democratic values. As mobile apps become increasingly integral to global interaction and information exchange, the need for a just and equitable app distribution model is more pressing than ever.