Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal has approved a £3 billion lawsuit against Apple over its iCloud storage service, clearing the way for tens of millions of consumers to join a collective legal action against the tech giant.
The approval was announced Tuesday by consumer group Which?, which filed the original claim in November 2024. According to Reuters, the tribunal granted a collective proceedings order allowing Which? to represent Apple users, after rejecting an attempt by Apple to block parts of the case earlier in June.
Which? argues that Apple abused a dominant market position by trapping users of iPhones and other devices into its iCloud storage service. The group says Apple did this by technically restricting how certain files can be stored, tying iCloud to iOS devices, and using prompts and system design to steer users toward its own service, weakening competition and driving up prices for consumers.
The case covers nearly 40 million UK iCloud users who used the service between November 2018 and June 2026. Which? estimates total damages at around £3 billion, with potential individual payouts of up to £77 per person if the claim succeeds.
"Which? wants to make clear that no company, no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position," said Which? Chief Executive Anabel Hoult.
Apple disputed the claims. In response to a request for comment, the company pointed to previous statements in which it said the claims were unfounded, that no customer was required to use its iCloud service, with alternatives available, and that it "strongly disagrees" with the tribunal's original decision and planned to appeal.
A trial is not expected until 2028, meaning the case will move through additional legal stages before any damages are determined or paid. The tribunal's approval of the collective proceedings order is a procedural step, not a ruling on the merits of the case. Apple has signaled it will continue to contest the action at each stage.
The lawsuit is part of a broader wave of competition challenges facing major US technology companies in European and UK courts. Apple has faced scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions over its App Store practices, device ecosystem, and now its cloud storage service.
