The Which? consumer group in Uk takes legal action against Apple, citing overpriced iCloud storage services
Apple is facing a legal challenge from consumer advocacy group Which?, which claims the tech giant has trapped 40 million British customers in its iCloud storage service with inflated prices. Which? states that, if successful, the lawsuit could lead to a £3 billion payout, equating to £70 per customer.
Apple refutes the claims, arguing users are not forced to use iCloud and have various third-party alternatives available. The company asserts that it “works hard to make data transfer as easy as possible” and denies its practices are anti-competitive. However, Toby Starr from Humphries Kerstetter notes this is part of a “growing tide of large class actions against Big Tech,” which he says has often operated without enough regulation.
Apple users receive a limited amount of free digital storage, after which they are encouraged to purchase iCloud storage for additional data, photos, and videos. Pricing ranges from £0.99 a month for 50GB to £54.99 for 12TB, with Apple restricting full access by rival storage services, citing security concerns.
Which? claims Apple’s tactics have effectively locked customers into using iCloud since 2015. “By bringing this claim, Which? is showing big corporations like Apple that they cannot rip off UK consumers without facing repercussions,” said Anabel Hoult, Which?’s chief executive.
The case, funded by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, is one of several pending against Big Tech firms in the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal.
