Swiss privacy technology company Proton filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Monday, joining a growing chorus of developers challenging the tech giant's control over iPhone app distribution and payment processing. The maker of encrypted email service Proton Mail accused Apple of operating illegal monopolies that harm both developers and consumers through what it calls "artificial and arbitrary" fees.
The lawsuit represents the latest escalation in a global battle over Apple's App Store practices, coming just weeks after a federal judge found the company in contempt of court for defying previous antitrust orders.
Proton's complaint, filed in California federal court, alleges Apple's App Store fees encourage a "surveillance capitalism business model" used by companies like Meta and Google while harming smaller privacy-focused firms1. The company argues that free apps exploiting user data avoid Apple's fees, while services that charge for privacy protection must surrender up to 30% of revenue to Apple1.
"Apple's conduct, as detailed in the complaint we filed, constitutes further violations of US antitrust law," Proton stated, warning that without legal action, Apple could "get away with behavior in the US that is already outlawed in the European Union"2.
The Swiss company is joining an existing class-action lawsuit filed by Korean developers in May, seeking both policy changes and monetary damages that Proton pledges to donate to organizations supporting democracy and human rights32.
The timing reflects Apple's mounting legal troubles. In April, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in "willful violation" of her 2021 injunction requiring the company to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods12. The judge's ruling was so harsh she referred Apple to federal prosecutors for potential criminal charges3.
That contempt finding has already spawned another class-action lawsuit by developers seeking compensation for what they claim were billions in lost revenue1. Apple was forced to revise its U.S. App Store policies in May, though the company is appealing the court order1.
Apple faces antitrust investigations worldwide, including a €1.8 billion fine from European regulators and ongoing probes in Spain, the UK, and other jurisdictions12. The U.S. Justice Department has also sued Apple over alleged smartphone market monopolization3.
Proton CEO Andy Yen said joining the lawsuit was "the only way to push for tangible changes to Apple's policies that will benefit developers and American consumers alike"4.
