UK Competition Tribunal Approves £3 Billion iCloud Class Action Against Apple
The Competition Appeal Tribunal has granted approval for a class action lawsuit against Apple, allowing the claim for an estimated £3 billion to move forward. Consumer advocacy organisation Which? is leading the action, asserting that Apple has employed anti-competitive practices to compel users into its iCloud cloud storage system, leading to inflated charges.
Which? alleges that approximately 40 million iCloud customers in the UK could be eligible for compensation, with an average payout estimated at £77 per person. The claim covers individuals who used iCloud between November 2018 and June 2026 and were residents in the UK on 8 June 2026. These individuals will be automatically included unless they actively choose to opt out.
Apple has consistently denied the allegations, characterising the claims as "unfounded." The company maintains that customers are not obliged to use iCloud, noting that alternative storage solutions are available. Apple has stated its strong disagreement with the Tribunal's decision and indicated its intention to appeal. While Apple provides a modest amount of free storage, it encourages users to subscribe to paid iCloud tiers for expanded capacity, particularly for backing up essential data like photographs, videos, and contacts. The technology giant defends its restrictions on rival storage services' access to its devices, citing security protocols, though these measures concurrently enhance iCloud's functionality over third-party options.
The lawsuit, initially filed in November 2024, asserts that Apple has effectively locked users into its ecosystem and subsequently overcharged them since 2015. Anabel Hoult, Which? chief executive, stated the legal action aims to demonstrate that no corporation, regardless of its market power, can exploit its dominant position with impunity. The case is not anticipated to reach trial until October 2028.
