Apple’s long-running App Store antitrust case has taken an unexpected turn. A U.S. federal judge has decertified the lawsuit’s class-action status after finding major data errors in the plaintiffs’ analysis.
The case, filed in 2011, accused Apple of running an unlawful monopoly by limiting iPhone and iPad users to its App Store. Plaintiffs claimed this restriction raised app prices. The case gained class-action status in 2024 and included users who spent $10 or more on apps or in-app purchases.
However, Apple’s legal team discovered several inconsistencies in the plaintiffs’ data. These findings significantly weakened their claim that all users were affected in the same way.
Major Errors Found in Plaintiff Data
Court documents revealed what the judge called “alarming” mistakes in the plaintiffs’ records. In one example, the same person was counted twice under two names—Robert Pepper and Rob Pepper—despite identical payment details.
Another error involved merging over 40,000 records under the single name “Kim.” This mistake exaggerated the number of affected users and distorted the damage calculations.
Judge Gonzalez Rogers concluded that the plaintiffs failed to provide a reliable model proving classwide injury. Without credible data, she said, the lawsuit could not move forward as a class action.
Apple Welcomes the Ruling
Apple expressed satisfaction with the decision, noting that the plaintiffs failed to show evidence of consumer harm. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a secure App Store that benefits users and supports developers.
While the ruling is a victory for Apple, the plaintiffs could still attempt to re-certify the class with corrected data. The potential damages, once estimated in the billions, now appear uncertain.
What’s Next
The ruling marks a key moment in Apple’s ongoing legal battles over its App Store model. It also highlights how data accuracy can make or break major antitrust cases. For now, Apple has scored another win in defending the way it operates one of the world’s most profitable digital marketplaces.
