A class-action lawsuit against Apple filed Friday in a northern California court accuses the company of creating unfair conditions to ensure iCloud remains the dominant cloud storage option for its devices. . By placing “surgical technological limits” on the types of files that other cloud providers can host, Apple has made it so that only iCloud can offer full-service storage to Apple device users, the complaint says. It also allowed Apple to charge higher fees in the absence of “any real threat to iCloud’s dominance,” according to the complaint.
The proposed class, represented by Hagens Berman, would cover tens of millions of customers in the United States, Bloomberg law notes. While iPhone and iPad users can store certain types of files with non-Apple cloud storage providers, there are some things, including app data and device settings, that only iCloud is allowed to host. This allows users to choose the “less attractive” option of juggling multiple cloud storage accounts to fully meet their backup needs, or the full-service convenience of iCloud. The complaint alleges that Apple’s restrictions are arbitrary and seek to stifle competition.
The complaint states that Apple “does not have an advantage because it creates a superior cloud storage product.” “In terms of security and functionality, iCloud is no better (and often inferior) than other cloud storage platforms. Instead, Apple achieved market dominance by rigging the competitive playing field so that only iCloud could win.” The case has only just been filed and has not yet been granted class action status, but anyone who thinks they may be involved can fill out the form below. to find out more.
