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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Levi Winchester & Lucy Farrell

Millions of Samsung and Apple customers could get compensation - are you are entitled?

Millions of Apple and Samsung customers are closer to bagging a share of compensation totalling £500m.

Smartphones are pricey enough as it is, and these customers may be paying more than they should for their devices.

Consumer champion Which? is the master behind this potential pay out as it has been authorised to take legal action against smartphone chip maker Qualcomm.

Which? claims the manufacturer has “abused its position as a dominant company” to fleece the businesses it supplies, including Apple and Samsung.

It argues that customers of these businesses were affected, meaning they have been charged more for their smartphones as a result.

As reported by the Mirror, in a statement on its website, Which? has confirmed that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has given it the go-ahead for the claim to proceed to trial.

If successful, Which? says around 30 million UK customers who purchased an Apple or Samsung smartphone since October 1, 2015, could be in line for compensation.

The money you could be owed would be worth around £16 to £17 per person, if the claim is successful.

But any amount you could potentially receive does depend on the number and type of phones you bought.

Which? said that Qualcomm had argued the cost of the legal battle would outweigh any benefit, but a Tribunal has ruled that "in the current economic climate" even a small payout would be welcomed by customers.

What happens next?

Which? has launched what is called a class action lawsuit against Qualcomm. This is where a court grants permission for an individual or party to collectively represent a group of people.

You don't need to do anything in order to participate in the class action.

If compensation is granted, you will be automatically included in the claim unless you tell Which? that you don't want to be involved.

You can sign up to the legal claim website for more information and updates. This also includes a list of handsets that Which? suspects could be affected.

Anabel Hoult, chief executive at Which?, said: "If Qualcomm has abused its market power, it must be held to account. This judgement ensures that it can be.

"Which? brought this claim on behalf of millions of affected UK consumers as it would not have been realistic for people to seek damages from the company on an individual basis."

A Qualcomm spokesperson told Which?: "We disagree with today’s ruling, though it is strictly procedural and in no way supportive of the plaintiff’s meritless assertions.

"The claims here recycle allegations in an old case brought by the Federal Trade Commission in the US, which Qualcomm won.

"The theories seen here were discredited two years ago by a unanimous panel of judges at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the US."

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