Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over iCloud Backups

[MacRumors]

Apple will face a proposed class action lawsuit in California federal court over allegations that iCloud unlawfully monopolizes iPhone users' access to core device backups, following a judge's decision to deny the company's motion to dismiss the case (via Reuters).

Earlier this week, the Northern District of California ruled that plaintiffs had sufficiently amended their complaint to move forward with antitrust claims in light of "substantial new allegations." The lawsuit was originally filed in March 2024 and alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use iCloud for backing up iPhone data while restricting third-party cloud services from providing comparable functionality, with wired backups being the only other option.

While Apple permits third-party services to back up user data such as photos, videos, and documents, the company does not allow them to access certain system-level items, including device settings, app configurations, and encrypted keychains. The plaintiffs seek to certify a nationwide class of potentially tens of millions of iCloud subscribers, arguing that Apple's system effectively coerces users into subscribing to its paid storage tiers.

Apple provides all users with 5GB of free iCloud storage. For many users, this allocation is insufficient for full-device backups. Paid plans begin at $0.99 per month for 50GB in the United States. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim that the restricted access to full backup functionality compels users to purchase iCloud subscriptions, resulting in overcharges that violate U.S. competition law.

In its motion to dismiss, Apple argued that the need to use iCloud for backups was shaped by privacy and security considerations. The company said that the restrictions on access to sensitive files were intentional and rooted in the need to protect users' personal information. Apple also contended that the case was time-barred, as plaintiffs must generally bring federal antitrust claims within four years of the alleged violation.

Apple is required to file a formal response to the complaint by July 7, 2025. See the full court order for more information.

Article Link: Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over iCloud Backups

 

[I7guy]

Apples legal bills just went to $2b year. So this will answer the question is iCloud backup a monopoly?

 

[Arytonsenna]

Apple's prices for storage are exorbitant. They are charging 4x what other companies (like Dropbox) charge.

 

[Kireyin]

> alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use ‌iCloud‌ for backing up ‌iPhone‌ data [...] with wired backups being the only other option.

Soooo… there are other options

 

[ghostface147]

I mean yeah, 5 gb is terrible these days. Lawsuit worthy? Idk

 

[germanbeer007]

"alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use ‌iCloud‌ for backing up ‌iPhone‌ data while restricting third-party cloud services from providing comparable functionality, with wired backups being the only other option."

so...not really monopolizing anything. you're just too whiney. plus you can do this over wifi.

complainers.

 

[Orange Bat]

“Apple argued that the need to use iCloud for backups was shaped by privacy and security considerations.”

As time marches on this reasoning holds less and less water, especially because Apple uses it for just about every lawsuit. At some point users have to take responsibility for their own “privacy and security”, whether they use iCloud or a 3rd party service. The days of Apple handholding are coming to an end.

 

[bchah]

While I'm all for keeping big dogs in check (anti-steering practices etc.) the fact remains that you can plug in any iPhone ever made into any Windows or Mac computer, and enjoy full backup/restore functionality without an iCloud subscription. I also think the argument can be made that exposing private elements of the system to third-party backup tools creates a *massive* security hole, hence no allowance for third-party apps to manage full device backups.

 

[woolypants]

Here in the UK, the lowest level of iCloud storage (outside of that provided free) costs £0.99 (US$1.33) for 50GB. That's basically useless, so most pay £2.99 ($4) for the 200GB level. if you've a handful of Apple devices then that's only just enough.

These are ripoff prices.

Storage is storage. It's just data centres. It's not special super-duper Apple storage.

That's why this matters.

If Apple wasn't wholesale abusing its position, people might not care so much.

 

[Apple_Robert]

> alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use ‌iCloud‌ for backing up ‌iPhone‌ data [...] with wired backups being the only other option.

Soooo… there are other options

Correct. iMazing is one of the the best. If there were no third options, the suit might have some merit.

 

[Orange Bat]

> alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use ‌iCloud‌ for backing up ‌iPhone‌ data [...] with wired backups being the only other option.

Soooo… there are other options

This assumes that an iPhone owner owns a computer. My mother only uses an iPad and doesn’t own a computer. I guess she’s just out of luck?

 

[D-a-a-n]

On a sidenote, the design of that icon is so mediocre.

 

[PlayUltimate]

so, you can back up everything on an external cloud service except for critical iPhone personal data. 5GB is likely sufficient for that for most people. Seems like these lawsuits are mostly about dismantling the ease that the Apple ecosystem enables. (iCloud makes backups easy; it is a little less easy to use a different system. 🤷‍♂️)

 

[I7guy]

This assumes that an iPhone owner owns a computer. My mother only uses an iPad and doesn’t own a computer. I guess she’s just out of luck?

Use iCloud. That’s what it’s there for. In addition use Dropbox. Or google.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

so, you can back up everything on an external cloud service except for critical iPhone personal data. 5GB is likely sufficient for that for most people. Seems like these lawsuits are mostly about dismantling the ease that the Apple ecosystem enables. (iCloud makes backups easy; it is a little less easy to use a different system. 🤷‍♂️)

If it's fully encrypted by the phone before uploading, it shouldn't make any difference.

I don't use iCloud, personally, and do my backups locally, but I can see the point of this suit...yes you can backup with a wire, with the purchase of a computer. If you don't own another several hundred or thousand dollar device, then tough luck, I guess?

Regardless, the court seems to think that they have enough of a case to be allowed to proceed. I don't have a strong opinion, other than generally being pro-consumer.

 

[MacTwick]

While there are other issues on Apple's plate that I personally think need to be looked at deeper when being discussed as a monopoly, I do however think that backups should remain in Apple's control, with two changes:

1. The iCloud free tier changes to a higher storage amount
2. The possibility to "convert" the backup and easily switch to Android, to allow for flexibility.

People already have the ability to goto iCloud.com and access *most* of what's getting backed up, with some exclusions.

 

[TechRunner]

I'm already thinking of ways to spend the $.89 I'm going to get as my share of this.

 

[AppleTO]

My main issue is the Photos app. I understand system files needed to be backed up through iCloud, but there is no reason photos and videos can’t automatically be stored elsewhere.

Like on macOS, the location of the photos library should be selectable. A 3rd party cloud storage option could be selected in the Files app for the location of the library. The same location could then be selected on macOS to maintain syncing.

 

[blaureiter]

Like many class action suits, it is to benefit the attorneys; then the customers.
I use iMazing to back up but more importantly to copy all photos or videos to a central repository which includes images from three different iPhones, 3 different Canon DSLRs, One Nikon. I too only use iCloud for shared content like common calendars. If you go to the AppStore there about over 20 apps that offer backup services.

 

[jimscard]

Apple's prices for storage are exorbitant. They are charging 4x what other companies (like Dropbox) charge.

I have subscriptions to Apple One, Google One and OneDrive. All about the same cost.

 

[rumorphobe]

I think the best answer is for Apple to not provide any access to sensitive files, but to allow users to choose their file provider at will and then deliver only fully user encrypted backups to the third party cloud providers.

 

[ReliableSource]

I think the complaints about the free tier are almost always selfish ones where they think that a fair amount of free storage = however much they personally need to back their data up without having to pay. Which, fine, but just be honest about the fact that you think iCloud backups should be free. I don’t think there’s any there there for them needing to up the free tier.

I do think there’s merit to the argument that we should be able to make cloud backups to other storage providers. I would never in a million years start using Google for my device backups, but the option would hopefully force competition and lower prices some.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'd like to be able to choose from an array of 3rd party (or even self hosted) options that could tie in as natively as iCloud does.

Price is but one reason many folks may want/need to go with a different offering.

 

[wanha]

“Apple argued that the need to use iCloud for backups was shaped by privacy and security considerations.”

As time marches on this reasoning holds less and less water, especially because Apple uses it for just about every lawsuit. At some point users have to take responsibility for their own “privacy and security”, whether they use iCloud or a 3rd party service. The days of Apple handholding are coming to an end.

Yes, because who doesn't want to give third party companies access to their phone's system-level items, including device settings, app configurations, and encrypted keychains

 

[StudioMacs]

This assumes that an iPhone owner owns a computer. My mother only uses an iPad and doesn’t own a computer. I guess she’s just out of luck?

She can’t make backups without a computer, but she also can’t make backups without a network connection to access a third party cloud provider. Apple provides options for backups, but the user needs to provide the computer or network connection.

Your mother choosing not to buy a computer doesn’t make iCloud a monopoly — she has the option to backup her device to a computer over WiFi or by plugging into it directly, whether she chooses that option or not.