Big Tech goes on trial in 2025 with the world watching
As 2024 draws to a close, 2025 looms large for some of the world’s biggest tech giants, with Apple and Google at the centre of landmark legal battles.
Starting in January, Apple faces the highly anticipated App Store claim. This case alleges that Apple’s App Store policies and fee structures suppress competition, harming both developers and consumers. A loss could have sweeping implications for how Apple manages app distribution, collaborates with third party developers, and enforces payment systems, potentially ushering in greater competition for consumers worldwide.
Adding to Apple’s legal woes is the Batterygate case (Guttman vs. Apple), also expected to be heard in 2025. This lawsuit accuses Apple of deliberately slowing older iPhones to push customers toward newer models. A ruling against Apple could invite stricter oversight of tech companies with regulators globally chomping at the bit to rein in big tech companies.
Meanwhile, Google will face its own showdown in the second half of 2025 with the Google Play Store claim. Similar to Apple’s case, this litigation challenges Google’s dominance in the Android app marketplace. With Android being the world’s most-used smartphone operating system, a ruling against Google could have even broader repercussions, potentially forcing major changes in how it manages app distribution and payment structures.
The outcomes of these cases could redefine the tech landscape in a way we haven’t seen before. If rulings go against Apple and Google, the consequences may set a precedent for increased regulatory scrutiny, further litigation, and a rebalancing of power in the digital economy.
The ripple effects won’t stop at these two companies. The decisions made in these courtrooms will influence the broader tech industry, shaping competition, innovation, and consumer rights for years to come. For consumers, litigators, regulators, 2025 could be the opening salvo in a much bigger battle. Regardless of the outcome, 2025 will be a year of reckoning for Big Tech.