A recent lawsuit against Apple has brought to light allegations of unfair pricing and restrictive practices regarding iCloud storage services.
The complaint, spearheaded by law firm Hagens Berman on behalf of plaintiff Julianna Felix Gamboa, argues that Apple’s policies effectively force users to rely solely on iCloud for certain file backups, limiting competition and consumer choice.
The lawsuit claims that Apple has significantly inflated iCloud prices, resulting in substantial profits for the company.
Apple’s decision to keep the free iCloud storage tier at 5GB since its inception in 2011 has not kept pace with the growth of even the lowest-end devices.
The plaintiffs argue that Apple’s strategy of exclusively allowing iCloud for full device backups creates an unfair advantage for the company.
While users can choose alternative cloud storage services for certain file types like photos and videos, iCloud remains the only option for backing up device settings and app data.
This, according to the lawsuit, limits competition in the cloud storage market and forces users to subscribe to iCloud plans for additional storage, even if they find the free 5GB insufficient for their needs.
The lawsuit highlights Apple’s imposition of what economists term a “requirements” tie, where iCloud becomes the only viable option for fulfilling the need for cloud storage of certain file types.
The complaint demands class-action status, changes in Apple’s practices, and relief for affected users, seeking to rectify what it perceives as unfair pricing practices by the tech giant
Apple’s alleged pricing strategies and restrictions have sparked debate over the fairness and competitiveness of its iCloud services, raising questions about consumer choice and market dominance in the cloud storage landscape.
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