A class action lawsuit that could entitle up to 40 million UK iCloud customers to roughly £77 each has been given the green light to proceed to trial, after a consumer watchdog accused Apple of locking users into its cloud service and overcharging them.
The claim, filed by Which? at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in November 2024, targets Apple's practice of not giving rival storage services full access to its devices – a move the company says is for security reasons, but Which? argues is anti-competitive.
“Up to 40 million UK iCloud users could get £77 each after a class action suit against Apple is allowed to proceed.”
Which? chief executive Anabel Hoult said the green light meant the group was “one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple”. She added: “No company, no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position.”
The legal challenge covers anyone who used iCloud between 8 November 2018 and 8 June 2026 and was living in the UK on 8 June 2026. Those who first started using iCloud after that date are not included. Consumers who wish to be part of the claim do not need to do anything, but those who want to opt out must notify Which? by 8 October 2026 via its claim website. Non-UK residents on the key date can opt in by the same deadline.
If successful, the case could result in a £3bn payout, with each affected customer receiving roughly £77. Apple, however, has rejected the suggestion its practices are anti-competitive, saying no customer is required to use iCloud and that there are “plenty of alternatives to choose from”. The tech giant gives users a small amount of free storage, then charges from 99p a month for 50GB up to £54.99 a month for 12TB.
The case is not expected to be heard until October 2028. Hoult said the ruling “should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics.”