A lawsuit filed in the UK alleges that Apple’s iCloud service violates competition laws by forcing users to use iCloud and restricting the use of third-party cloud storage services. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s policies around iCloud and third-party cloud services are anti-competitive and harm consumers.
Restrictions on Third-Party Cloud Services
The lawsuit argues that Apple unfairly limits the ability of users to access and use third-party cloud storage services on Apple devices. Specifically, it states that Apple prevents users from setting third-party cloud storage services as the default options for certain system-level functions, such as photo backups and file management.
Forced Use of iCloud
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Apple forces users to use its own iCloud service by making it the default option for various device features and functionalities. This, according to the lawsuit, denies consumers the choice to use alternative cloud storage providers that may better suit their needs or offer more competitive pricing and features.
Impact on Competition
The lawsuit claims that Apple’s practices stifle competition in the cloud storage market, as users are essentially compelled to use iCloud rather than having the freedom to choose from a range of cloud storage providers. This, the lawsuit argues, reduces innovation and limits consumer choice in the cloud storage sector.
