Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the UK over allegations of anti-competitive practices related to its iCloud storage service. The consumer group Which? claims that approximately 40 million UK customers may be eligible for compensation, potentially averaging £70 each, if the lawsuit succeeds.
Key Points of the Lawsuit
- Allegations of Monopoly: Which? argues Apple has misused its dominance by effectively “trapping” users into iCloud through iOS restrictions, making it challenging for customers to use alternative storage providers.
- Increased Subscription Fees: iCloud subscription prices rose by up to 29% in June 2023, which Which? claims has overcharged consumers due to limited competition.
- Legal Basis: The lawsuit, filed with the UK’s competition appeal tribunal, seeks compensation for iCloud users dating back to October 2015.
Apple’s Response
Apple has rejected these claims, stating that users are not obligated to use iCloud and can rely on third-party storage options. The company maintains that their prices are competitive, citing that their 6TB plan costs £26.99, lower than comparable services like Proton at £33.28. Apple has also stated it will “vigorously defend” against these allegations.
Possible Implications
If successful, this legal action could set a precedent for consumer rights in the tech sector, pushing for greater flexibility and competition in digital services linked to operating systems.
