A potential class-action lawsuit accusing Apple of defrauding users of having to pay for iCloud is now likely to have failed outright, having lost an appeal in the Ninth Circuit. The case centers on Apple's claim that users' needs are "almost impossible" to be met with the 5GB free tier, and that it is virtually impossible for users to reduce iCloud usage.
Three Ninth Circuit judges considered the appeal but found that the plaintiffs failed to prove their claims. The judges also noted that users can choose to turn off iCloud if they wish, especially since two of the plaintiffs stated in court that they were still using 5GB.
The case was originally filed in 2022 by U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. of the Northern District of California, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. At that time, the judge dismissed claims that Apple intentionally misled consumers about iCloud fees, but he allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaint.
It's unclear whether they amended the complaint, but the plaintiffs chose to appeal. After this defeat, they may appeal again, but this time their only option is the Supreme Court, which is unlikely to hear their case.
Although Apple won that lawsuit, it still faces similar cases related to iCloud. The British consumer organization "Which?" announced in November 2024 that it would file a lawsuit, aiming to obtain US$4 billion in compensation for iCloud's "rip-off" prices.