Apple and Google Sued in Portugal for “Overcharging” App Store Customers

28 JULY 2022 - While lawmakers may be off for a month, lawyers never rest. Apple Insider brings news of a new lawsuit against Apple in Portugal. Actually, the piece says both Apple and Google:

…have been hit by class action complaints in Portugal alleging that their 30% app marketplace commission rates are "anticompetitive and excessive.”

Interestingly, the suit - brought by a law professor - argues not on behalf of developers, but on behalf of consumers. The piece says “the complaints allege that Apple and Google have ‘systematically acted in contravention of competition law’ by overcharging Portuguese customers.” If that sounds familiar, there are a few good reasons. The piece points out that, “Apple is facing similar pending lawsuits in the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, and Australia.” Apple Insider says

The suit is seeking compensation for any person who purchased an app or piece of in-app content in the Portuguese versions of the App Store and Google Play Store.

If the suit is successful, the report says Apple could be on the hook for “up to 100 million euros.”