Apple is once again facing a class action lawsuit, this time over accusations of illegally monopolizing digital storage through its iCloud service, forcing users to overpay for cloud storage. The lawsuit, which was first filed in 2024, was initially dismissed by U.S. 
District Judge Eumi Lee. However, the plaintiffs weren’t giving up and took another swing at the case, now bringing forward new allegations that may strengthen their claims.
According to Reuters, the amended lawsuit claims that Apple has engaged in unlawful practices by preventing iPhone users from using third-party cloud storage services to back up essential data, such as device settings and core files. With iCloud’s free 5GB storage quickly filling up, users are essentially forced to pay for additional storage to back up this crucial data. This could be seen as an unfair monopoly, as no other service is permitted to access or store certain types of iPhone data.
Judge Lee, now aware of the significance of this restricted data and how it ties into iPhone backups, has revived the case, allowing it to move forward. Apple, on the other hand, maintains that it is not guilty of any antitrust violations, arguing that the company enforces these practices to maintain high levels of security for its users. The tech giant also urges the judge to dismiss the case due to its supposed untimeliness, as it typically takes up to four years to bring antitrust claims under U.S. law.
The plaintiffs, who are consumers that paid for iCloud’s $2.99 per month storage plan, are pushing for a nationwide class action, which could affect millions of users. However, the outcome remains uncertain, and only time will tell whether these allegations will hold up in court.