Apple Challenges Funding as Tribunal Weighs Which? £3 Billion iCloud Class Action

Judges are scrutinizing Which?’s bid to lead a claim over iCloud pricing, with Apple’s objections to the lawsuit’s financing a key focus.

Overview

A three-day Competition Appeal Tribunal hearing began on 19 November to decide whether Which? can act as class representative for about 41 million UK iCloud users.
Which? alleges Apple favored its own cloud storage on iOS and maintained technical barriers that lock users into paid iCloud plans, inflating prices since 1 October 2015.
Apple denies wrongdoing, stating that no customer is required to use iCloud and that UK consumers have ample alternatives.
Apple questioned the adequacy and transparency of third-party funder Litigation Capital Management, noting a 99% share-price collapse that leaves the firm valued at roughly $16 million.
Which? seeks roughly £3 billion in compensation plus an injunction, and the tribunal has not indicated when it will rule.