Major Canadian software firm files lawsuit against Apple

Canada-based software company Rave has filed a lawsuit against US tech giant Apple, seeking reinstatement of its app on the App Store and claiming billions in damages.

Rave, which allows users to watch and interact with videos simultaneously across devices, alleges that Apple removed its app from the App Store in 2025, citing “fraudulent or deceptive activity.” The company, however, claims the move was driven by anti-competitive motives.

According to the lawsuit, Apple began viewing Rave as a competitor after launching its own “SharePlay” feature in 2021, which offers similar functionality for shared viewing experiences across Apple devices.

Rave CEO Michael Pazaratz said Apple restricted consumer choice and blocked users from accessing cross-platform video experiences. He also argued that Rave’s advertising-based model meant it did not significantly benefit from Apple’s in-app purchase commission system.

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Apple has denied the allegations, stating that Rave was removed due to repeated violations of App Store policies, including claims of pornographic and pirated content being shared on the platform, as well as reports of illegal child exploitation material.

Rave has rejected those accusations, saying it maintains strict content moderation policies and that its removal lacked transparency and due process.

The company also said it is pursuing similar antitrust actions in Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Russia, amid growing global scrutiny of major tech companies over App Store policies and commission structures. Analysts say the case reflects increasing regulatory pressure that could reshape digital platform governance worldwide.