iCloud compulsion allegation: UK consumer protection organization sues Apple

A British consumer protection organization has filed a lawsuit against Apple over its business practices relating to the iCloud. The complainants accuse the iPhone manufacturer of forcing customers into its own cloud as there is no equal alternative. Apple is therefore violating competition law in the UK. They are demanding compensation for 40 million British iPhone and iPad users with a total sum of around three billion British pounds, the equivalent of around 3.6 billion euros. Apple firmly rejects the allegations.

"Which?" is a non-profit organization in the UK that is dedicated to consumer protection and is mainly financed by membership fees. It is similar to the German Stiftung Warentest and, among other things, tests products and publishes comparisons. "Which?" was founded in 1957.

No equivalent alternative?

The complaint is that Apple does not offer its customers an alternative choice of cloud storage services at system level, but instead steers customers towards its own iCloud. According to "Which?", this allows Apple to charge higher fees than usual. The lawsuit is worded in such a way that, if the court rules in favor of Apple, all British users will automatically receive compensation unless they object. If successful, each user would receive around 70 British pounds, around 84 euros.

Apple offers users of its devices 5 GB of cloud storage space free of charge. Those who want more can book corresponding packages for an additional charge. "Which?" argues that Apple does not technically release certain device data for storage with other cloud services and that the need for larger cloud storage volumes is increasing due to the fact that devices are generating ever larger amounts of data during use.

Apple vigorously rejects accusations

In a statement , Apple told Reuters that customers are not obliged to use the iCloud and that many would indeed use alternatives from third-party providers. Apple rejects the accusation of anti-competitive behavior and intends to defend itself vigorously against it. In another statement, it said that around half of Apple customers neither use nor need an iCloud+ subscription.

(mki)