A US judge ruled that Apple's iCloud antitrust lawsuit can proceed after a revised complaint.
Apple is accused of unfairly limiting full backups to iCloud, excluding rivals from core data storage.
Apple argues iCloud exclusivity protects user privacy and device security during backups.
Apple will have to face a class action lawsuit over antitrust violations related to its iCloud service. A California district judge ruled on Monday that the lawsuit, which claims Apple forces iPhone users to use iCloud for data backups, cannot be sustained. The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s restrictions on third-party cloud services violate antitrust laws by illegally monopolising the market for digital Storage and making consumers overpay for it.
Users can back up photos, videos, and documents to other cloud services, but iCloud remains the only option for backing up data like app settings and device configurations.
Initially, the case was dismissed by the US District Judge Eumi Lee, who said the plaintiffs’ original complaint didn’t have enough detail. However, after the plaintiffs filed a revised version of the complaint earlier this year, Judge Lee denied Apple’s request to dismiss the case.
The plaintiffs argue that Apple has a monopoly on cloud storage for iPhones, with the company dominating both the revenue and the number of users. While third-party services can store some data, the lawsuit claims that Apple’s control over core device backups gives it an unfair advantage in the cloud storage market.
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In its request to dismiss, Apple stated that limiting third-party access to sensitive device data is necessary for security and privacy reasons. “That design decision was and always has been a feature grounded in security and privacy considerations,” the company wrote, emphasising the importance of protecting data when restoring an Apple device.
With this ruling, the case will continue, and Apple will have to explain why it restricts full device backups to its own cloud service. If the plaintiffs win, it could open up the cloud storage market to more competition for iPhone users.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
