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Class-Action Lawsuit Argues iCloud Fees Are Too High

The suit also argues that Apple has created 'an illegal monopoly' by now allowing some data to be backed up to other cloud services.

March 3, 2024
iCloud on a phone (Credit: Shutterstock / rafapress)

new class-action lawsuit alleges that iCloud users are paying too much for the service.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California and accuses Apple of violations of the Sherman Act and Clayton Act, AppleInsider reports.

According to the complaint, Apple has created “an illegal monopoly” with its iOS cloud-based storage policies. Specifically, it takes issue with Apple requiring device owners to only use iCloud to back up certain things like app data and device settings, claiming that there are "no technological or security justifications for this limitation on consumer choice." 

The suit's argument is that customers should be able to save those same settings to any cloud provider they choose rather than being forced to use iCloud.

The lawsuit claims that Apple’s restraints are in place expressly as an attempt to stifle competition and that the company has high margins on its storage plans.

If you’ve purchased an iCloud storage plan in the past four years, you can sign up to potentially join the class, should the court grant it, and receive updates on the case on the law firm’s website.

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About Emily Price

Weekend Reporter

Emily is a freelance writer based in Durham, NC. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Lifehacker, Popular Mechanics, Macworld, Engadget, Computerworld, and more. You can also snag a copy of her book Productivity Hacks: 500+ Easy Ways to Accomplish More at Work--That Actually Work! online through Simon & Schuster or wherever books are sold.

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