Apple Hit with £2 Billion Claim Over App Tracking Rules

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is facing a £2 billion ($2.7 billion) claim in London over its app tracking rules, which were introduced in 2021 as part of the App Tracking Transparency framework.

The framework requires apps to ask for permission before tracking users across other companies' apps and websites, with Apple describing it as a privacy protection measure.

However, lawyers for the claimants argue that the requirements fell more heavily on outside developers than on Apple's own advertising business, giving it a competitive advantage.

Ann Pope, a former senior antitrust official at the Competition and Markets Authority, is leading the action and said the policy caused 'very significant harm to businesses' that rely on Apple as a gatekeeper.