ICloud Faces £3 Billion UK Class Action Over Alleged Lock-In Pricing

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has certified a £3 billion ($3.9 billion) class action against Apple to proceed, clearing consumer group Which? to represent an estimated 40 million UK iPhone and iPad owners in a case headed for trial in October 2028.

The case centers on iCloud’s role as what Which? calls a deliberately constrained ecosystem. The group alleges Apple has, since 2015, limited how rival cloud storage services sync on its devices, then used that lock-in to charge inflated subscription prices. Apple gives users 5GB of free storage before nudging them toward paid tiers ranging from 99p a month for 50GB up to £54.99 a month for 12TB.

Which? chief executive Anabel Hoult said the tribunal’s green light put the group “one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple,” and framed the certification as a warning to any company “using anti-competitive tactics.” If the claim ultimately succeeds, each eligible user could receive up to £77.

Apple’s position is straightforward: it calls the claims unfounded, argues no customer is required to use iCloud, and says alternatives exist. The company said it strongly disagrees with the tribunal’s decision and plans to appeal, so the October 2028 trial date assumes that appeal fails.

Who is covered

Eligibility turns on a specific window and residency rules:

• Anyone who used iCloud on a UK device between November 8, 2018 and June 8, 2026 is potentially included
• UK residents as of June 8 are automatically included unless they opt out by October 8
• Non-UK residents on that date must actively opt in by the same October 8 deadline
• Customers who first used iCloud after June 8, 2026 are excluded entirely

Which? originally filed the claim at the tribunal in November 2024. The certification decision moves the case past its first real procedural hurdle, though Apple’s planned appeal means the path to trial is still far from settled.