Apple faces £3bn legal challenge from Which? over alleged Icloud competition breaches

Consumer rights organisation Which? has lodged a £3bn lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of breaching UK competition law with its iCloud services. Which? alleges that Apple has been favouring its own iCloud storage services and making it challenging for customers using Apple devices to utilise alternative data storage providers, as reported by City AM. The claim, submitted to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, suggests that customers are effectively locked in as Apple does not permit them to store or back-up all their phone's data with a third-party provider. Consequently, iOS users have to pay for the service once they exceed the free 5GB limit. Which? argues that this lack of competition results in consumers being overcharged annually on their monthly iCloud subscription fees. The lawsuit points out that Apple has increased the price of iCloud for UK consumers by between 20 per cent and 29 per cent across its storage tiers in 2023. Which? is now seeking damages for affected Apple customers who have used iCloud services since 1 October 2015. The group estimates that individual consumers could be owed an average of £70 depending on the duration they have been paying for the services. Anabel Hoult, chief executive of Which?, has claimed that Apple customers are due nearly £3 billion due to the tech giant's imposition of its iCloud services on consumers and stifling competition from rival services. "By bringing this claim, Which? is showing big corporations like Apple that they cannot rip off UK consumers without facing repercussions." she stated. A similar case against Apple regarding this issue is already underway in the US, but it has not yet reached a conclusion. In response to the claim, an Apple spokesperson defended the company's practices: "Apple believes in providing our customers with choices. Our users are not required to use Icloud, and many rely on a wide range of third-party alternatives for data storage."

Why auto dealerships face a perfect storm of risks

Robert Davis 

Brokers and agents must protect dealership clients in a new era of exposureMotor & FleetBy Gia SnapeDec 03, 2025ShareWhen CDK Global, a leading dealer management software provider, was hit by a ransomware attack in June 2024, roughly 15,000 customers across North America were forced back to pen-and-paper and improvised workarounds during a critical sales window. Dealerships lost more than $1 billion to the outages, according to industry reports.Over a year later, risks facing US auto dealerships – from cyber extortion and data theft to vandalism and staffing gaps – are converging into a “perfect storm,” according to Rajni Kapur (pictured), CEO of All Solutions Insurance, a California-based agency specializing in auto dealer and garage coverages.Kapur spoke withInsurance Businessabout how the CDK incident has hardened attitudes on cyber risk and what agents and brokers should be doing now to protect dealer clients.CDK attack becomes a cyber wake-up callThe silver lining in the CDK Global attack, which created weeks of operational paralysis for dealerships, is that it led to a sharp rise in cyber awareness.Since that event, dealerships have been taking more precautions around their cybersecurity, implementing encryption for financing documents, and conducting phishing training for staff,” according to Kapur.“I’ve also seen more dealerships opting for cyber liability coverage, which they didn’t always prioritize before,” she noted.Carriers have tightened their underwriting stance for dealerships. Detailed cyber applications, mandatory multi-factor authentication, required employee training schedules, and limited access to sensitive customer information have become standard.In some cases, Kapur said, carriers are conducting direct calls with dealership cyber managers to confirm compliance. “If (dealerships) don’t implement the required measures, the policy may be cancelled,” she added.High-value EVs increase theft severityWhile cyber attacks can compromise vehicle systems, Kapur noted that cyber-related schemes are primarily aimed at customer financial data rather than vehicle theft.Physical theft, however, remains a significant and growing exposure, particularly for electric vehicles and other high-value models.Popular models from brands such as Kia, Hyundai, and Cadillac have been common targets, along with high-demand EVs and catalytic converter thefts. “These claims can be quite hefty,” Kapur noted.Key control is a central point of failure she sees across the industry. On a busy lot, Kapur said, keys can be misplaced, which allows unauthorized test drivers to take vehicles and flee the scene.Brokers and carriers are advising clients to move to locked, access-controlled key cabinets that track employee key usage, restrict access to high-value models, eliminate unauthorized test drives, and position high-value inventory in secure or indoor areas.Motion sensors and increased nighttime security patrols are also recommended.Carriers are increasingly intolerant of repeated theft losses. While a single incident may be acceptable, “if it continues to happen, brokers and carriers don’t like it,” Kapur said. Repeated losses may result in non-renewal or reduced terms.Holiday foot traffic driving theft and collision lossesWhile winter weather traditionally tops the loss tally for many dealerships, Kapur said theft and vandalism now rival natural perils as leading causes of claims. Holiday-season foot traffic presents an especially challenging exposure as bad actors take advantage of crowds to gain access to vehicles.The uptick in customer visits also drives more test drives, more on-lot vehicle movement, and, in turn, more collision activity. Employee-caused damage during vehicle shuffling (already a perennial issue) is rising amid tight staffing and less experienced personnel. At the same time, slip-and-fall exposures also increase with heavier foot traffic.Weather remains a constant seasonal risk, with storms bringing wind damage, flooding, hail, roof leaks, and fallen debris that can affect both open-lot inventory and indoor showroom units.Tips for commercial brokers and agentsAmid tightening markets and heightened exposures, dealerships must prioritize thorough coverage reviews and strong risk management. For agents and brokers, rigorous cyber and key control practices are now essential in protecting auto dealer clients.Kapur urged fellow agents to revisit auto dealer portfolios and verify that foundational coverages reflect current exposures.Dealer’s open lot coverage remains “one of the most important” protections, she said, addressing losses stemming from weather, theft, vandalism, and on-lot collisions. Ensuring vehicles are insured to value, particularly the highest-valued units, is also critical.Garage liability and garage keepers liability are also essential. Kapur noted frequent oversights in garage keepers coverage, especially the need for “direct primary” protection to ensure customer vehicles in the dealership’s care are covered for weather or collision events.For larger lots with higher inventory levels, Kapur recommended umbrella limits between $2 million and $5 million, and up to $10 million for the largest operations.“When we review existing policies, we often find missing pieces,” Kapur said. “We then recommend that the dealership add whatever is missing so their coverage is as complete as possible.”Related StoriesAuto dealerships facing rising transit losses amid theft 'epidemic'Supply chain attacks are on the rise – how can brokers help?

Vianet celebrates contract with major blue chip brewer in the UK

Drinks and vending tech provider Vianet has landed a significant contract win with major brewer in the UK. The Stockton-based firm says the agreement with the unnamed, blue chip customer will see it supply its Beverage Metrics draught beer monitoring technology across the country. It will provide performance insights into the customers draught brands. Vianet will begin installations of the tech in this financial quarter and continue phased delivery throughout the rest of the year. The move is expected to grow the group's UK installation footprint by about 5% in the next 18 months, and support Vianet's expansion further into the hospitality sector beyond the leased and tenanted market. The contract follows Vianet's acquisition of US-based Beverage Metrics in 2023. The addition of the Denver company, in a deal worth up to £4.5m, has helped Vianet bolster its "one stop drinks management solution" that can reduce costs, improve productivity and maximise sales. Announcing the contract to investors on the London Stock Exchange, Vianet bosses said it was a strong validation of its tech and strengthened its relationship with The Oxford Partnership - a market intelligence consultancy working with major brewers, who helped Vianet secure the work. The firm said it would help it attract interest from other potential clients. James Dickson, chair and CEO of Vianet, said: "This new agreement represents a strong strategic validation of our investment in Beverage Metrics and the value of our partnership approach. These collaborations are unlocking exciting commercial opportunities within the hospitality sector and beyond, combining our technological capabilities and the Oxford Partnership's analytics and AI expertise. "The phased rollout of our Beverage Metrics solution with a leading global brewer further highlights the innovation and impact of our technology, as it empowers customers to optimize performance and navigate challenging trading conditions effectively. Combined with the encouraging progress we are making in the USA and the recent long-term contract extensions with Heineken's Star Pubs & Bars and Greene King, this milestone underscores the growing recognition of our solutions and their ability to deliver tangible value by helping customers achieve more with less."

Transport for Wales launches new high speed internet network

Transport for Wales has launched a new full fibre high speed internet network which was installed in tandem with the South Wales Metro rail electrification project. In a UK rail industry first the transport body of the Welsh Government said its wholesale network can be reached by one million people, through new subsidiary venture TfW Ffeibr. Alexia Course, chief commercial officer at TfW said: “We’re extremely proud and excited to be launching TfW Ffeibr, to provide a state-of-the-art high-speed network for companies to use and sell within Valley communities. “We’ve been carrying out huge infrastructure works in the Valleys, electrifying the railway line as part of the South Wales Metro and this presented us with an opportunity to also build the infrastructure for a high-speed core network. “The Metro project is about physically connecting people and TfW Ffeibr is about connecting people in the digital world. At TfW, we’re fully aligned to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act and this new subsidiary business reinforces our commitment to improving the lives of people in Wales.” Guy Reiffer, managing director at TfW Ffeibr, said:“This is an industry and UK first – a rail infrastructure project that has diversified and utilised its construction to also install a high-speed, full fibre internet capable network. “We’re excited to launch and we’re looking forward to working with teleco companies to provide big-bandwidth full fibre internet for communities that are harder to reach. “For people living in the Valleys, high-speed internet enabled by our core fibre offering will open up lifestyle and business opportunities.” As well as reaching around one million people, TfW Ffeibr is currently accessing the number of business that could utilise the network., which is though accessible to many of the region's business parks. TfW Ffeibr is currently talking to a range of internet service providers and telecommunication (telco) companies over commercial use of its wholesale network. It said: “This will be either to connect towns and villages where an internet service provider is building out those towns or to connect businesses for those internet service providers or telcos, We cannot comment on individual discussions at this stage.” For those using the network TfW Ffeibr will charge a connection fee and for the distance provided. It declined to comment on projected revenues in its first three years. TfW wouldn't disclose the cost of installing the fibre on the Metro network. The bill for electrifying the Core Valley Lines, along with part of the City Line and the Coryton Line in Cardiff, will come in at just over £1bn. Moreover, alternative full fibre teleco, Ogi, has installed a new full fibre leased line connection at Cariff City FC’s training centre at Hensol in the Vale of Glamorgan. The new infrastructure is already boosting the club’s ability to process performance data in real time during training sessions. Ogi is already a well-known name in sport, with Cardiff Rugby, Parc y Scarlets, and the home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium, among its customers. It also has sponsorship deals with Haverfordwest County AFC and the community-owned Merthyr Town FC. Ogi’s chief executive, Ben Allwright, said: “As a big football fan, I’m delighted to see Ogi supporting our home city club, Cardiff City. There’s a real sense of community among City’s supporters – and this plays to our community-centric ethos here at Ogi too. “Bringing our connectivity to the Bluebirds’ training base has the potential to help the teams develop their game and I’m very excited to see how increased access to real time analytics plays out on the pitch.” Huw Warren, head of commercial at Cardiff City FC, said: “Ogi is a strong signing and welcome addition to the Cardiff City family. They’re a Welsh brand making huge strides across the country right now and the support they’ve given since our partnership started has been exceptional. “Ogi’s full fibre technology enables us to do things faster and more efficiently, accessing data in the split seconds that matter on the pitch.