B1 – Intermediate
If you own any Apple device, then you are familiar with iCloud. iCloud is Apple’s cloud-based storage service where your data like photos, files, notes, and passwords are stored and synced across all your devices.
As of 2025, the price plan on iCloud is somewhere around € 0.99 for 50 GB of cloud storage to € 59.99 for 12 TB.
In 2024, the UK consumer group, Which? filed a £3 billion class-action lawsuit against Apple accusing the company of making it difficult for its customers to use other third-party cloud storage services. They get trapped in Apple’s ecosystem and continuously have to pay for additional storage every time.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Which?’s collective claim against Apple, alleging that the company overcharges for iCloud storage.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/icloud-costs-too-much-level-3
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “payout” mean? “Which? estimates the claim could lead to a 3-billion-pound payout, with individuals possibly receiving around 70 pounds each.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “discourage” mean? “The consumer group ’Which?’ argues that Apple’s actions violate competition laws by limiting customer choices and discouraging alternatives.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “collective claim” mean? “This lawsuit, along with others targeting tech giants like Facebook and Google, uses a newer legal mechanism allowing collective claims.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion about this lawsuit?
- Do you think Apple’s actions violate competition laws? Explain.
- What do you think about iCloud’s prices?
- Share your opinion about having to pay for cloud storage every month.
- Talk about your devices’ storage.