Which? sue Apple over iCloud use

Consumer rights group Which? is suing Apple over the way it uses iCloud.

If the lawsuit is successful, around 40 million Apple customers in the UK could be entitled to a payout.

The lawsuit alleges that Apple, which controls the iOS operating systems, violated UK competition law by giving preferential treatment to iCloud and "trapping" customers with Apple devices into using it.

The rights group claims the company encouraged users to sign up to iCloud for storing photos, videos and other data while making it difficult to use alternative providers.

Which? says Apple does not allow customers to store or back up all of their phone data with a third-party provider, arguing that this violates competition law, writes sky news, the Telegraph reports.

The consumer rights group also said that once iOS users are signed up to iCloud, they must then pay for the service once their photos, notes, messages and data exceed the free 5GB limit.

"In presenting this claim, Which? it's showing big corporations like Apple that they can't rip off UK consumers without facing consequences," said the group's chief executive, Anabel Hoult.

Apple 'denies' the claims and will defend itself

The tech company reportedly "rejects" the idea that its customers are tied to iCloud use and said it would "vigorously" defend itself.

“Our users are not required to use iCloud, and many rely on a wide range of third-party alternatives for data storage. In addition, we work hard to make transferring data as easy as possible - whether to iCloud or to another service," said a company spokesperson.

"We reject any suggestion that our iCloud practices are anticompetitive and will vigorously defend against any legal claims," ​​he added.

How much could UK Apple customers get if the lawsuit is successful?

The lawsuit will represent all UK Apple customers who have used iCloud services since October 1, 2015 – anyone who doesn't want to be involved will have to opt out.

The rights group estimates that individual consumers could be owed an average of £70, depending on how long they have paid for services over that period.

Otherwise, this is the latest in a line of challenges that big tech companies like Apple, Google and Samsung have faced over anti-competitive practices. /Telegraph/