By Shubhangi Chowdhury
Privacy-focused software provider Proton takes Apple to U.S. federal court. Proton says Apple is misusing its power over the App Store to block competition and slow down innovation, according to a Reuters report.
“Apple’s monopoly control of software distribution on iOS devices presents a myriad of problems for consumers, businesses, and society as a whole,” Proton’s post reads. “Anti-monopoly laws exist because the power gifted by monopoly status inevitably leads to abuse. In the case of oligarchic tech giants, these abuses have wide implications for society, and it’s vital to the future of the internet that they be addressed now.”
Proton has filed a proposed class action lawsuit in Oakland, California, claiming that Apple holds an unfair monopoly over app distribution and payments on iPhones. The company argues that Apple’s tight control and steep fees are harming both app developers and users.
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The Swiss company said Apple makes developers use its own payment system and takes 30% of the money from most purchases. “We sued Apple to set an important precedent that free people, not monopolies, will dictate the future of the internet,” Proton said in a statement posted in their official blog.
Proton further said that Apple’s App Store rules give an unfair advantage to companies like Google and Meta that make money by tracking users and offering “free” services. These companies don’t have to worry about Apple’s 30% fee because they don’t use its payment system. But privacy-focused apps that rely on subscriptions are hit hard by this charge, making it harder for people to choose privacy-first alternatives. To make things worse, Apple itself competes with these apps, all while promoting itself as a champion of privacy. This double standard is one of the reasons the internet is leaning more and more toward surveillance-driven business models.
Apple’s total control over the App Store gives it the power to decide which apps are allowed or blocked in different countries. Proton has faced similar pressure with Apple once demanding that it change its app description to avoid mentioning censorship.
Proton’s lawsuit is pushing for reforms to the App Store and is also seeking financial compensation. The financial compensation will be donated to groups that support democracy and human rights, according to Proton.
This case is part of a broader class-action effort against Apple. With Proton joining the other developers including Korean Publishers Association, who are also challenging Apple’s practices.
READ: Google and Apple face more trouble with EU antitrust charges (March 20, 2025)
Proton even brought up the Epic Games v. Apple case where the U.S. court found that Apple had intentionally ignored an order and added new barriers that hurt competition. The judge even referred Apple to the U.S .Attorney for possible criminal prosecution. Other countries like the UK, Brazil, the Netherlands, and South Korea have also begun cracking down on Apple’s restrictive practices.
Apple was hit with a €500 million fine by the European Commission in April 2025 for breaking EU competition rules. To comply, Apple has loosened its App Store rules in Europe. Developers can now include multiple links to external payment platforms. But Apple still charges a commission between 5% and 15%, depending on the developer’s size and chosen service tier.
Proton believes Apple is also violating U.S. antitrust laws and filed this lawsuit to hold the company accountable. Without legal action, Apple could continue unfair practices in the U.S. that are already banned in other parts of the world, leading to fewer choices and higher prices for American users and developers.
There’s also urgency due to a related class-action lawsuit from May 23. Any settlement from that case might limit developers’ ability to seek real changes later.
By joining now, Proton wants to ensure the focus isn’t just on financial compensation, but also on meaningful reform of the App Store’s rules. Their goal is to put an end to Apple’s anti-competitive tactics for good and push for a fairer, more open app ecosystem.