MILLIONS of Apple and Samsung smartphone owners could get a share of a £500million compensation pay-out.
Consumer champion Which? has been given permission to represent nearly 30million people across the UK in a case against the smartphone chipmaker.
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Qualcomm is the biggest maker of semiconductor chips in the world. These little chips are needed to make your smartphone work.
Which? alleges that the firm has abused its market-leading position to overcharge the companies it supplies, including Apple and Samsung.
Those extra costs are passed on to consumer, said Which?, meaning millions of people have paid higher prices for their devices.
Which? was given permission by the Competition Appeal Tribunal in May this year, to go to trial in a bid to win compensation for millions of people affected by the situation.
At the time Which? said: “We are taking legal action against Qualcomm to recover the overpayments made on Apple and Samsung handsets bought since October 1, 2015.”
People who have been affected will be automatically included in the claim, so you won’t have to do anything to benefit.
You could be set to receive around £16-17 depending on the type of phone you have bought, and how many you purchased.
The Tribunal pointed out that given the current cost of living crisis, even a small amount of compensation was likely to be welcomed by consumers.
A timeline from Which? says that Qualcomm will file its defence to the claim in July 2022 and in October this year, Which? will file its response to this defence.
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What do I need to do?
You don’t have to do anything to get your money as if you are affected, you will be automatically included in the claim, although you can opt-out.
You can sign up to the legal claim website for more information and updates on the claim.
This type of claim is known as a class action, which is where a group of people come together to make the same legal claim.
Which? has drawn up a list of the smartphones it thinks have been affected – you can check out whether your model is on the list on this website.
If the court finds that Qualcomm has broken competition laws, consumers will get money back.
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.”
Earlier this year, when Which? was given permission to go to trial, a Qualcomm spokesperson told the organisation: “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.”
In the past other class action claims have been made to help consumers.
Millions of BT customers sought to get £500 compensation each after elderly and low-income customers were overcharged by the telecoms giant.
If you are struggling with your broadband or phone bill, you could qualify for cheap social tariffs that could save you hundreds of pounds.
It’s estimated there are around 4 million households who could be missing out on savings of £144 a year.
You can also get free data with a scheme called the National Databank, where big phone companies like Virgin Media O2 give out free data.
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