Almost 40 million Apple customers in the UK could be entitled to compensation of up to £77 each after a £3billion class action lawsuit brought by consumer group Which? was granted permission to proceed.
The Competition Appeal Tribunal approved the case on June 17, although Which? has only now publicised the decision as it prepares to notify affected consumers about the legal action.
Which? launched proceedings against Apple in late 2024, alleging the technology giant breached UK competition law through its approach to iCloud storage services.
The consumer rights organisation must now contact individuals who fall within the scope of the claim and provide them with an opportunity to opt out if they do not wish to be included in the collective action.
Which? alleges Apple encouraged customers to use its own cloud storage platform while making it more difficult to switch to alternative providers.
According to the organisation, Apple does not allow users to fully back up iPhone data using third-party cloud services, a practice it argues restricts competition and disadvantages rival providers.
The lawsuit claims Apple gave preferential treatment to iCloud over competing services, reducing consumer choice and leading millions of users to pay higher prices than they otherwise might have done.
Which? also argues that customers who rely on iCloud to store photographs, videos and other files can incur subscription charges once they exceed the complimentary 5GB storage allowance.
Apple iCloud lawsuit: Nearly 40 million UK customers could claim up to £77 compensation
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The organisation maintains that consumers have paid inflated subscription fees and received less free storage than they would have in a more competitive market.
The legal action covers all UK Apple customers who used iCloud services between November 8, 2018 and June 8, 2026.
People who fall within that period will automatically be included in the claim unless they actively choose to opt out of the proceedings.
Former UK residents who have since moved overseas may also be eligible to participate, provided they used iCloud while living in Britain during the relevant period.
Apple has rejected the allegations and signalled its intention to challenge the tribunal’s decision.
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Unlike UK-based claimants, overseas individuals would need to opt in to join the case rather than being automatically included.
The opt-out structure means millions of Apple users could potentially receive compensation without taking any action if the claim is ultimately successful.
Anabel Hoult, chief executive of Which?, said: “Which? wants to make clear that no company, no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position.
“The granting of the CPO means we’re one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple and this should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics.”
A spokesman for Apple previously described the claims as “unfounded”.
“We work hard to make iCloud a great experience, but no customer is required to use it and customers in the UK have plenty of alternatives to choose from.
“We strongly disagree with this decision and plan to appeal,” the spokesman said.
The case will now move forward through the courts, with millions of affected consumers set to receive further information about their inclusion in the proceedings and their right to opt out should they choose to do so.