The Swiss company joins a class action lawsuit in the U.S. to demand structural reforms that protect privacy, democracy, and fair competition in the mobile ecosystem.
Proton, the Swiss company behind services like Proton Mail and Proton VPN, has taken a decisive step in its battle against what it considers abuses by Apple. On June 25, the company filed a lawsuit in the Northern District Court of California, officially joining a class action that accuses Apple of violating U.S. antitrust laws. The lawsuit seeks not only financial compensation but also profound changes to App Store policies.
Against the Power of a Giant
Proton argues that Apple has maintained a monopolistic position for years in the distribution of apps for iOS devices, imposing high fees, communication restrictions with users, and technical limitations on developers competing with its own services.
“Apple’s total control over its app store poses a serious risk to privacy, freedom, and democracy,” warns the company. “We are entering this litigation not only on our behalf but as representatives of all developers and users affected by these unfair policies.”
Abusive Fees and a Model that Punishes Privacy
One of the primary focuses of the lawsuit is the 30% commission Apple charges for every transaction made within apps, which Proton argues acts as an “arbitrary fee” that raises the cost of using services and especially punishes companies that monetize through subscriptions rather than by selling personal data.
“Apple favors the surveillance capitalism model used by giants like Meta or Google,” Proton claims, “while punishing privacy-focused and transparent companies like ours.”
Moreover, the company highlights that its own applications have faced censorship from Apple. In 2020, for example, the App Store demanded that Proton remove the phrase “unblocks censored websites” from the description of Proton VPN. The alternative was the removal of the app.
Censorship and Complicity with Authoritarian Regimes
The lawsuit also focuses on how Apple responds to censorship demands from authoritarian governments. Citing data from the digital rights group GreatFire.org, Proton notes that over 27% of apps are absent from the App Store in China, including 240 VPN applications and international media outlets like The New York Times or BBC News.
“Apple acts as a single point of failure for free speech in multiple countries,” the document states. “It’s not about security, but about capitulating to dictators to protect corporate profits.”
A Poorer User Experience
Beyond ethical implications, Proton argues that Apple’s rules degrade the user experience. Among the most criticized restrictions are:
- The inability to inform users about alternative pricing outside the app.
- The prohibition on linking to help or technical support websites.
- The inability to manage subscriptions smoothly across devices or platforms.
“Everything is designed to keep the user within Apple’s walled garden, even at the cost of limiting basic functionalities and raising final prices,” the firm argues.
For a Freer Mobile Ecosystem
Unlike other lawsuits focused on financial compensation, Proton has stated that it will donate any compensation received to organizations that promote human rights and democracy. “We want to ensure that any changes are not just cosmetic but structural,” the company emphasizes.
Among the reforms Proton is requesting from the court are:
- Allowing alternative app stores on iOS.
- Authorizing the use of external payment systems.
- Ensuring freedom of communication between developers and users.
The company is being represented by law firms Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.
A Lawsuit to Change the Rules of the Game
Proton’s lawsuit joins a growing international movement against Apple’s practices. In recent months, the company has been sanctioned or investigated by competition authorities in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Korea, and the Netherlands. In the U.S., Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has already accused Apple of “willful disobedience” in the Epic Games case and referred its conduct to the Department of Justice for possible criminal investigation.
“The legal battle will be long and difficult,” acknowledges Proton, “but the future of the internet, privacy, and democracy demands that we do not back down. Monopolies should not dictate the rules of the internet of tomorrow.”
via: Proton