£70 Per User? Apple Faces Massive Payout in iCloud Class Action

In the United Kingdom, Apple faces a lawsuit brought forth by the organization “Which?”. The group alleges that the company coerces approximately 40 million users in the UK into relying on iCloud, while charging excessively high prices for its cloud storage services. Should the court side with the consumers, Apple could be liable for up to £3 billion (around $3.78 billion) in compensation—equivalent to roughly £70 ($88.4) per customer.

Apple has refuted these accusations, asserting that iCloud usage is entirely optional. According to the company, many users opt for third-party services, with data migration to these alternatives made as seamless as possible.

While Apple offers a limited amount of cloud storage for free, additional space requires payment. For instance, 50 GB costs £0.99 per month, whereas 12 TB is priced at £54.99. However, third-party services often face functional limitations on Apple devices. The company attributes these restrictions to its commitment to security, though experts argue that such constraints also yield significant revenue for the corporation.

“Which?” claims that since 2015, Apple has effectively “locked” users into its ecosystem and inflated prices. The organization contends that such practices are unfair and infringe upon consumer rights.

Representatives from “Which?” stated their primary aim is to recover overpaid funds for consumers, hold the corporation accountable, and foster a more equitable market. Apple, however, has declared its intent to vigorously defend its stance in court, maintaining that its approach to iCloud complies with the law. Meanwhile, UK regulators have launched their own investigation into the cloud services market. “Which?” remains hopeful that Apple will resolve the matter amicably and reimburse users without resorting to legal proceedings.

Experts predict that such lawsuits will become increasingly common, driven by the substantial sums at stake in potential compensations. The case against Apple is part of a broader trend where major technology companies face collective legal challenges, as seen with Google and other industry giants. Legal analysts suggest that these disputes could significantly impact the business strategies of tech firms in the coming years.