UK Class Action Lawsuit Against Apple Over iCloud Pricing Set to Proceed
L'essentiel
- A UK class action lawsuit accusing Apple of overcharging millions of iCloud users could go to trial.
- Consumer group Which? claims Apple "trapped" users into its service, potentially entitling 40 million customers to £77 each.
- Apple denies the claims and plans to appeal.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
A class action lawsuit has been filed in the UK against Apple, accusing the tech giant of overcharging consumers for its iCloud service. The case could potentially award millions of pounds to affected users.
A class action lawsuit which could entitle millions in the UK to a share of a £3bn claim against Apple is set to proceed to trial.
Consumer group Which? has accused the tech giant of "trapping" users into its cloud service. It says 40 million iCloud customers could be entitled to roughly £77 each if successful.
Consumers who used iCloud between November 2018 and June 2026 and were living in the UK on 8 June will be included in the claim unless they opt out.
Apple has previously called the claims unfounded, saying no customer is required to use the iCloud service, with alternatives available, and that it "strongly disagrees" with the decision and plans to appeal.
Apple users get a small amount of free storage, but once that runs out they are encouraged to pay for iCloud to back up photos, videos, messages, contacts and other content from their devices.
Prices range from 99p a month for 50GB to £54.99 a month for 12TB.
Apple does not give rival storage services full access to its devices, saying this is for security reasons - although it also means iCloud has more features than non-Apple alternatives.
Which? claims that since 2015 Apple has effectively locked users into its services and overcharged them as a result.
The consumer group filed its claim against Apple at the Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of affected consumers in November 2024.
Anabel Hoult, Which?'s chief executive, said the group wanted to make clear that no company "no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position".
She added the green light from the Competition Appeal Tribunal meant Which? was "one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple".
"This should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics," she said.
The case is not expected to be heard until October 2028.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Apple will appeal the Competition Appeal Tribunal's decision.
Très probable · En quelques semaines
Questions ouvertes
- Will Apple's appeal be successful?
- How will the trial proceed?
- Will more consumers opt-in to the claim?
