Apple is in hot water again, this time over claims that iCloud is anti-competitive. It’s consumers in the UK who stand to benefit – although it could be a few years until they see a payout.
The case, worth a massive £3bn (roughly $4bn), is being brought by consumer group Which?, which filed back in 2024. The argument is that Apple breached UK competition law by quietly funnelling users towards iCloud – making it awkward to use rival storage services on an iPhone or iPad, then charging over the odds once people were locked in. We’ve all been there.
This week a tribunal granted the legal green light for the case to head to trial. Apple, as you’d expect, rejects the idea that its iCloud practices are anti-competitive and says it’ll defend itself vigorously.
Which? reckons around 40 million UK consumers could be included, with a theoretical payout of up to £77 each if Apple is ordered to pay the full amount. Realistically that’ll shrink once legal fees take their cut – but it’s something. There’s precedent for this kind of thing succeeding, too, with Apple dishing out a settlement for a similar iCloud suit in the US back in 2022.
To qualify, you need to have obtained iCloud on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch between November 2018 and June 2026, and have lived in the UK during that window. If you were a UK resident on 8 June this year, you’re included automatically. If you’ve since moved abroad, you’ll need to opt in by 8 October. The CloudClaim website has the full details.
The catch is patience – the trial isn’t expected until October 2028, and Apple still has room to appeal or settle before then. So don’t go spending that £77 just yet.