A UK finance campaigner has filed a complaint with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, alleging Apple Pay's fees on card issuers have cost 50 million consumers $2 billion. The suit argues banks pass these costs on to all customers, even those who don't use Apple Pay. Apple calls the case 'misguided' and notes it doesn't charge consumers directly.

The core dispute centers on Apple's cut of standard interchange fees, which it takes from banks for each transaction. While Apple doesn't charge merchants or consumers extra, the claim is that these fees increase overall banking costs. This mirrors previous lawsuits in the U.S. targeting Apple Pay's business model and its exclusive use of the iPhone's NFC chip.

If the tribunal allows a class-action suit, a successful case could force Apple to pay around $35 per affected person. The argument hinges on proving that Apple's closed ecosystem stifles competition, allowing it to charge fees above industry norms. The outcome could set a precedent for how tech platforms profit from integrated payment services.