The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has given formal approval for a collective lawsuit seeking roughly £3 billion ($4 billion) against Apple over its iCloud storage service, the consumer group Which? said on Tuesday. The tribunal's decision clears the procedural hurdle that allows Which? to pursue the case on behalf of tens of millions of users in the United Kingdom.
Which? originally lodged the claim in November 2024. Earlier in June, the tribunal granted a collective proceedings order permitting Which? to represent Apple customers, after the tech company tried to block parts of the legal action. The case is being advanced on behalf of nearly 40 million UK iCloud users who accessed the service between November 2018 and June 2026.
At the centre of the complaint is an allegation that Apple abused a dominant market position by effectively 'trapping' users of iPhones and other devices into its iCloud storage offering. Which? contends that Apple used a combination of technical constraints on how certain files can be stored, tight integration that links iCloud closely with iOS devices, and user prompts and system design choices that steer customers toward the company's own cloud service. According to the consumer group, these practices reduced competitive choice and contributed to higher prices for consumers.
Which? estimates total damages at about £3 billion and says that, if the claim succeeds, individual payouts could reach up to £77 per person. A trial is expected to take place in 2028.
Which? Chief Executive Anabel Hoult was quoted saying: "Which? wants to make clear that no company, no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position."
Apple did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the tribunal's approval. The company has previously denied the allegations, stating that customers are not required to use iCloud and that many consumers make use of third-party alternatives. Apple has also said it intends to vigorously defend its practices.
The tribunal's authorisation allows the collective action to proceed through the UK legal system, enabling Which? to seek compensation for the group of users identified in the claim. The notice included a currency reference used in coverage - $1 = 0.7563 pounds - consistent with the figures cited by the parties.
Context and next steps
With certification secured, the case will move into preparatory phases ahead of a trial slated for 2028. The court process will determine whether Which?'s allegations about technical restrictions, integration and design steering are legally actionable and if the claimed damages are warranted.