A class action lawsuit was filed, claiming that Apple Inc. is unfairly limiting data storage on iPhones and iPads to its iCloud platform, creating an anti-competitive environment for cloud services.
The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s iCloud, as the exclusive storage option for certain data on Apple devices, including essential application data and device settings, is monopolizing the market. This practice has led to iCloud’s dominance, with a market share of approximately 70%.
The complaint argues that Apple ties iCloud to its mobile devices, resulting in inflated costs for iCloud services. The lawsuit contends that Apple’s ability to maintain high prices indicates its monopoly power in the market.
The proposed class action, comprising a national class and a California subclass of iCloud customers who were allegedly overcharged, could potentially include millions of members. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.
Cloud storage allows users to store and access data remotely, and while Apple faces competition in this market from companies like Google and Microsoft, the lawsuit suggests that managing multiple cloud accounts with different interfaces is inconvenient for users wanting to store unrestricted data, such as photos.
Overall, the lawsuit raises concerns about Apple’s practices regarding iCloud and its impact on competition in the cloud services market.
