Apple faces class action in France from music streaming users

A French consumer advocacy group has filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the company's tax policies and platform fees have unfairly increased the cost of music streaming subscriptions in France.

Legal action details

The organization argues that Apple's commission fees, applied to in-app purchases through the App Store, have led to higher subscription prices for users of music platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, and others. Consumers, rather than the service providers, ultimately bear these additional costs.

"Apple’s 30% commission has had a direct impact on what users pay every month for their streaming subscriptions," stated the advocacy group.

Context and implications

Apple has long faced criticism for its App Store policies, which require developers to use its payment system and pay high commissions. This lawsuit adds to growing regulatory scrutiny in the European Union, where new laws like the Digital Markets Act are pushing for fairer digital competition.

If successful, the case could force Apple to compensate French consumers and reconsider its App Store fee structure for music streaming services sold in France.

Author’s summary

A French consumer group sues Apple, accusing it of inflating music streaming subscription costs through its App Store commission policies, potentially reshaping digital market regulation in France.

Le Monde.fr — 2025-11-24