Apple iCloud

Do you have an Apple iCloud subscription?

Apple is accused by Which? of locking 40 million customers into its iCloud at rip-off prices.

Consumer group Which? has launched a £3 billion claim against Apple, claiming the tech giant has breached competition law by ‘forcing its iCloud services on customers.’

You could be eligible for compensation if you signed up to Apple’s iCloud services since 1 October 2015 – which is when the Consumer Rights Act came into force.

Which? estimates you could be owed an average of £70, depending on how long you have been an iCloud customer. Register with Consumer Voice for updates on this claim.

Apple accused of ‘trapping’ customers into using iCloud

Apple is accused of favouring its own cloud storage services by using technical restrictions and other tactics to encourage iOS customers to sign up to iCloud to store photos, videos and other data. 

Which? – with law firm Wilkie Farr & Gallagher – also claims Apple is stifling competition by making it difficult to use alternative products.

It says that this conduct is ‘trapping’ users into its storage services, preventing them from switching to alternative cloud providers and this, it says, enabled Apple to charge higher fees for subscriptions.

Have you been overcharged for iCloud services?

Which? says Apple customers who are ‘locked-in’ to its iCloud service over time could come at a significant cost in terms of price, quality and choice. 

Apple raised the price of iCloud for UK consumers by between 20% and 29% across its storage tiers in 2023.

Which? claims the resulting lack of competition has led to consumers being overcharged each year, increasing up to £13.36 this year, through their monthly iCloud subscription fees. 

The consumer group is estimating that iCloud customers could be owed an average of £70, depending on how long they have been paying for Apple’s storage services.

It is seeking damages for all affected Apple customers that have obtained iCloud services since 1st October 2015.  

How to claim compensation?

The specialist competition court gave the go-ahead for the claim to go to trial – see ‘What’s happening with this claim’. The claim is funded by Litigation Capital Management. If the claim is won you could be eligible for compensation if you have been an Apple iCloud customer anytime from 1 October 2015.

Register with Consumer Voice to stay updated.