Apple faces lawsuit over iCloud storage rules, accused of unfairly restricting competition

Apple faces lawsuit over iCloud storage rules, accused of unfairly restricting competition

Apple’s free iCloud storage is not enough for a lot of users. In a lawsuit, some people claimed that Apple is unfairly favoring its iCloud service for storing certain files from iPhones and iPads. According to a Bloomberg Law report, plaintiffs have argued that only Apple’s iCloud can hold certain important data like app information and device settings, which users might need when they switch to a new device. This means that Apple is forcing users to use iCloud instead of letting them choose other storage options.

According to the complaint filed in a California court, Apple’s iCloud has become very popular, capturing about 70 per cent of the market. The lawsuit alleges that Apple makes a lot of profit from iCloud because it sets high prices, and since there’s no real competition, Apple can keep these prices high. “Apple device holders are given 5GB of free iCloud storage space, but as Apple’s iCloud revenues attest, most users find this insufficient for their storage needs and purchase a supplemental iCloud storage plan,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit aims to represent a large group of people, including those who bought iCloud plans and feel they were charged too much. It’s suggested that millions of people could potentially join the case.

Cloud storage is a way for people to save and access their files remotely, meaning they can get to them from anywhere with an internet connection. However, what hasn’t changed is the fact that the free access to iCloud has remained limited to 5GB ever since it was launched at WWDC 2011.

While Apple does have competitors in the cloud storage market like Google, Microsoft, and Dropbox, the lawsuit argues that it’s inconvenient for users to have to use multiple services. They prefer having all their data in one place, especially if some of it can only be stored in iCloud.

The law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is representing the main plaintiff, Julianna Felix Gamboa, and others who might join the lawsuit. Apple hasn’t responded to these allegations yet.

iCloud offers free storage in India, but it’s only 5GB. For more space, you will need to upgrade to iCloud+, which comes in paid tiers. The most popular plans are 50GB for Rs 75/month, 200GB for Rs 219/month, and a massive 2TB for Rs 749/month. These plans offer storage for photos, files, and device backups, along with bonus features like iCloud Private Relay for enhanced privacy. There are also even larger plans reaching up to 12TB, suitable for families or those who need to store a lot of data.