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The UK case behind the £1.5bn headline is a certified collective action over Apple’s iCloud storage practices—not the separate litigation over App Store commissions. Which? alleges Apple used its control of iOS to favour iCloud over competing cloud-storage services. The Competition Appeal Tribunal has allowed the case to proceed, but has not decided whether Apple broke the law or owes compensation.
What is the Which? case about?
Which? (the Consumers’ Association) brings the claim on behalf of people within a defined class. It alleges that Apple abused a dominant position in cloud storage for iOS users by using technical restrictions and the design of iOS to favour iCloud, limit or exclude competing services, and steer users towards Apple’s service.
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The conduct Which? alleges
The Tribunal’s published summary of the claim says Which? points to alleged limits on storing certain types of files with other services, iCloud’s integration into iOS and the device-setup process, and friction when transferring data from an iOS device to Android. These are allegations in the claim, not findings that Apple did any of those things unlawfully.
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The proposed claims rely on section 18 of the Competition Act 1998 from 1 October 2015 onward, and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union for the period from 1 October 2015 to 31 December 2020. The separate CPO class period, which determines the people covered by these proceedings, begins later: 8 November 2018.
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What does the £1.5bn figure represent?
The £1.5bn headline is a rounded figure within Which?’s original damages estimate for class members who paid for iCloud services. The claim-form estimates were stated as at 30 September 2024 and recorded in the CAT’s summary of the claim form, published on 6 December 2024. They are figures advanced by Which?, not a damages award or a valuation made by the Tribunal.
| Group in Which?’s estimate | Estimate excluding interest | Estimate including simple interest |
|---|---|---|
| Class members who paid for iCloud services | £1,382 million to £1,987 million | £1,782 million to £2,583 million |
| Class members who never paid for iCloud services | £224 million | £300 million |
The separate estimate for people who never paid means £1.5bn is not the only damages category in the filing. Both categories remain claims to be assessed; the figures are dated and may not reflect any later position.
Who may be included in the collective action?
The CPO’s definition—not simply owning an Apple device or having an Apple ID—sets the class. In broad terms, it covers natural persons who, during the claim period, obtained iCloud services for use on an iOS device while their Apple ID account had the UK selected as its country or region. The claim period started on 8 November 2018 and runs until final determination or an earlier settlement.
Services and devices covered
The order includes storage or backup supplied through iCloud, iCloud+ and Apple One, whether paid for or obtained otherwise. It names iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos and iCloud Backup among the covered services. Its device definition includes iPhones and iPads, as well as other Apple mobile devices running iOS or iPadOS.
Important cutoff and exclusions
The CPO excludes people who first obtained iCloud services after 8 June 2026, and contains other specified exclusions. The full order’s wording controls eligibility, so anyone unsure whether they fit the class should check that order and the current claim information rather than relying on this summary. UK domicile on 8 June 2026 affects the opt-out process; it is not a substitute for the class definition’s Apple ID region and service requirements.
Is there an opt-out or opt-in deadline?
As of 5 October 2026, the CPO states a deadline of 8 October 2026. Because it is only three days away, check the current claim website and Tribunal order promptly in case the deadline or instructions have changed.
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- If you fall within the class and were domiciled in the UK on 8 June 2026: you may opt out by writing to the claims administrators by 8 October 2026.
- If you fall within the class and were domiciled outside the UK on 8 June 2026: you must opt in by that date. The CPO directs overseas applicants to the claim website or the administrator.
The order names Epiq as the claims administrator. Use the official claim information and order for the required contact details and submission process; no claim-site URL is provided here.
Has the Tribunal found Apple liable?
No. The CAT’s procedural decisions allow the collective case to proceed; they do not establish that Apple infringed competition law or that class members suffered compensable loss.
What the Tribunal has decided so far
The Tribunal granted the CPO application on 2 April 2026 and dismissed Apple’s strike-out application on 6 May 2026. It made the Collective Proceedings Order on 17 June 2026. The order states: “The Defendants’ Strike-Out Application is dismissed.” Dismissing that application is not a ruling on the truth of Which?’s allegations or the amount of any damages.
What happens next
The CAT’s live case record lists a case-management conference for 27 November 2026 and a trial for the first available date in October 2028, estimated to last nine weeks. These are the dates currently listed by the Tribunal and may change under later orders.
How this differs from the App Store cases
This action concerns alleged conduct involving iCloud cloud storage for iOS users. It is not the separate UK litigation concerning Apple’s App Store commissions. The distinction matters: the allegations, proposed class and damages figures discussed here relate to the iCloud claim.
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