Massive UK iCloud Suit Could Pay Out $4.1 Billion — But Not Before 2028
Oskar M?odzi?ski
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A long-running class action suit brought against Apple for its iCloud pricing in the UK could result in users being paid $95 if things go the plaintiffs’ way. However, they shouldn’t plan on using their windfall for Christmas gifts this year — or anytime soon after.
The lawsuit, launched by UK consumer group Which? in November 2024, alleges that Apple has locked “millions of consumers into its iCloud service at rip-off prices.” While the case has taken the usual slow trip through the courts, it’s finally reached a key milestone that will allow it to proceed to the next stage.
This week, the BBC reported that the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has officially granted Which? a formal Collective Proceedings Order (CPO) — the certification that gives the group the official authority to represent millions of consumers in court.
However, the BBC adds that the case isn’t expected to be heard until October 2028.
As you might imagine, Apple doesn’t agree with this decision. Last month, following an unsuccessful attempt to have the case dismissed, an Apple spokesperson told AppleInsider that the lawsuit is completely unwarranted.
“We work hard to make iCloud a great experience,” said the spokesperson, “but no customer is required to use it and customers in the UK have plenty of alternatives to choose from.”
So, what are the details behind the Which? class action lawsuit?
The consumer group argues that Apple has systematically overcharged its massive UK user base across multiple premium storage tiers for years. According to the legal filing, the total calculated damages sit at a staggering £3 billion, covering a complaint window that stretched from November 8, 2018, to June 8, 2026.
Around 40 million UK users are automatically included in the suit, regardless of whether they pay for iCloud storage or simply use the free version. However, users may opt out by October 8, 2026, via cloudclaim.co.uk
Which? says while iCloud is an Apple-integrated data storage service, behind the scenes, iCloud uses cloud infrastructure from third-party operators, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to store its users’ encrypted data.
iCloud is built into every Apple device, with 5 GB of free storage to allow users to store their photos, messages, notes, and other data. From my own experience, I’d venture to say most users will find that 5 GB of storage isn’t nearly enough. Of course, Apple is happy to provide additional storage for a fee. In the UK, those upgrades cost between 99p and £54.99 — a cost that Which? maintains many customers didn’t factor in when they first began using iCloud.
As noted by Mactrast, while plenty of alternative cloud storage providers exist, Apple users are not presented with any options to use other cloud storage companies. Even if a user opts to use a different cloud storage service (plenty of cloud storage services are compatible with Apple devices), those services don’t offer the same integrated experience that iCloud does. Perhaps most importantly, users cannot back up and store all of their device’s data with a third-party provider — an issue that’s currently the subject of a separate antitrust probe by Italian regulators.
Which? says that with the ever-increasing volume of data generated by device users, consumers should be allowed to access alternative storage services with their devices.
