Home / Technology / Users Pay for Fake Privacy: Apple's iCloud Lawsuit
Users Pay for Fake Privacy: Apple's iCloud Lawsuit
13 Aug
Summary
- Lawsuit alleges Apple's iCloud Private Relay fails to hide user IP addresses.
- The paid iCloud Plus feature was advertised as a secure privacy tool.
- A class action seeks to change Apple's business practices and offer monetary relief.
Apple is facing a class action lawsuit over its iCloud Private Relay feature. Filed on August 6, 2026, the complaint alleges the service, a paid component of iCloud Plus, fails to shield users' IP addresses and browsing activity as advertised.
Researchers discovered that under certain conditions, such as when using passkeys or when websites employ specific data-loading methods, the feature does not protect a user's IP address. This contradicts Apple's marketing, which promotes iCloud Private Relay as a secure way to prevent online tracking.
The lawsuit, filed by Clarkson Law Firm, seeks an injunction to compel Apple to revise its business practices. It also demands monetary relief and attorneys' fees for consumers who allegedly paid for a privacy service that did not deliver its promised benefits.
Clarkson Law Firm highlighted Apple's brand built on user privacy, stating that charging users for ineffective protection constitutes a significant betrayal of consumer trust. This legal action follows a previous settlement where Clarkson Law Firm secured $250 million from Apple regarding undelivered AI features.
