Legal pressure on Apple and its iOS ecosystem continues to grow globally, with new fronts opened both in the United States and other markets. Several companies and developers have decided to take action against what they consider an abuse of Apple's dominant position, especially in relation to the Control of app distribution and payment systems on Apple devicesRegulatory bodies and judges are increasingly wary of the Californian brand's famous "walled garden," and the legal battle promises to be long and decisive for the future of the sector.
The situation is complicated by the recent decision of a federal judge in New Jersey, which has allowed a lawsuit filed by the US Department of Justice against Apple for alleged anti-competitive practices to proceed. Meanwhile, Swiss technology firm Proton, known for offering privacy-focused services, has joined a class-action lawsuit seeking sweeping changes to the App Store rules. All this comes as Apple's behavior regarding iCloud, the App Store, and app distribution is also coming under close scrutiny in Brazil and the European Union.
Proton leads the US offensive against the App Store model
On June 30, 2025, Proton filed a complaint in federal court in California along with other international developers to demand that Apple allow real competition in app distribution and payment methods within iOS. The complaint alleges that the current App Store system particularly penalizes services that rely on subscription and privacy models, forcing them to pay commissions of up to 30% on their revenue just for using Apple's payment system.
According to Proton and the other plaintiffs, Apple keeps access to alternative app stores blocked and prevents developers from informing users of cheaper payment methods outside the official platform. In addition, the Cupertino company retains his position as gatekeeper by imposing technical restrictions that prevent competing apps from functioning fairly, for example, by prohibiting tools like Proton Drive from running in the background like iCloud does. To better understand how these practices impact competition and innovation, you can read our analysis on Apple Pay in antitrust investigations.
The lawsuit seeks, in addition to financial compensation for NGOs and pro-democracy causes, something much more significant: structural changes in iOSProton is calling for the authorization of alternative stores and payment methods, as well as for developers to be able to freely access the system's APIs, offering users more real alternatives.
Apple's "walled garden" under scrutiny in several countries
The legal battle in the United States is not an isolated case. In Brazil, the competition authority CADE has recommended that Apple be sentenced for limiting alternative payment systems on iOS and preventing companies from informing their customers of other payment options. The agency's report notes that these restrictions artificial barriers to competition and reduce the freedom of choice of users and developers in the Apple ecosystem.
Meanwhile, in the European Union Regulators have already managed to force Apple to allow third-party app stores and changes to its App Store policies thanks to legislation such as the Digital Markets Act. Apple's practices, particularly those related to iCloud and integration with other services, are also being reviewed to assess whether they negatively impact competition in the digital marketplace.
This set of international investigations and resolutions highlights a global problem: the debate on How far can a technology company control access, distribution, and payments on its platform? without falling into monopolistic practices or hindering innovation. If you'd like to delve deeper into the legal and regulatory implications, we recommend reading our article on The antitrust report and Apple.
Implications for privacy, innovation, and the future of iCloud
One of the key arguments in the lawsuits filed is that Apple's business model harms services that prioritize privacy Users, such as Proton, must choose between giving up a significant percentage of their revenue or raising their rates to compete on a level playing field. Developers criticize Apple for favoring its own apps, allowing features that are denied to others, and for using its control over the App Store as a censorship mechanism in countries like China and Russia, where certain privacy and VPN apps have been removed following government pressure. To learn how these restrictions affect data protection, you can visit our analysis on Apple's responses to EU restrictions.
For its part, Apple reiterates that will defend its position in court and denies that these decisions are motivated by monopolistic motives, justifying its model as a guarantee of quality and safety for consumers. However, the criteria of judges and regulatory bodies are beginning to change, given that Apple's power over mobile internet access has far-reaching social, economic, and technological consequences.
If these lawsuits succeed and regulators impose structural changes, The future of iCloud and the App Store could be transformed: alternative stores, new conditions for developers, and more transparency for end users. The legal battle pitting Apple against developers, lawyers, and governments around the world will be key to determining whether the company can continue to control access to and the internal workings of iOS as it has done so far.
