Tech-giant Apple has been hit with a class action lawsuit for an “unlawful and unconscionable clause” in its terms and conditions that allows the company to terminate users’ accounts without warning or explanation, the claim alleges.
The nationwide class action lawsuit was filed in California on April 20 by lead Plaintiff Matthew Price. Price, a Cambria County, Pennsylvania, resident, says that Apple terminated his Apple ID account without any warning, barring him from being able to access his more than $24,000 worth of purchases.
According to the class action lawsuit, the purchases included services, Apps, and Content — including in-App purchases, programs and platform extensions. Price also had $7 in credit on his account, the claim states.
Apple ID accounts have unique log in details allowing users to access their profiles where their purchases are stored and managed, as well as giving users access to a variety of other Apple add-ons.
Price says that Apple terminated his account when the company suspected him of breaching its terms and conditions, but due to the clause in question Apple did not have to confirm a breach occurred or give Price notice or explanation before shutting down his Apple ID.
“Apple’s continuing imposition and enforcement of the unconscionable and unlawful clause in its Terms and Conditions, granting Apple unfettered discretion to terminate its customers’ Apple IDs merely on suspicion of a breach of the same and imposing a prohibited liquidated damages provision, constitutes unlawful business practices in violation of Bus. & Prof.Code §§ 17200 et seq,” the class action lawsuit alleges.
According to the claim, Apple’s termination of Price’s Apple ID, and those of other Apple users, “is unconscionable, void, and unenforceable.”
The clause in Apple’s terms and conditions unreasonably favors the company and is “unduly harsh” to users, the claim states. “For example, Apple only has to suspect that its customers breached its Terms and Conditions and it can seize their property.”
Price wants to represent Apple users nationwide who had their Apple ID account deleted due to Apple’s “Termination and Suspension of Service” provision, and a subclass of users who had their accounts deleted while they had a positive credit balance. He is suing for unfair business practices, unjust enrichment, and violations of numerous state laws.
Price is seeking certification of the Class, injunctive relief, restitution, damages, attorneys’ fees, and a jury trial.
Over the past few years Apple has been at the center of numerous lawsuits. In 2020, Apple paid out millions of dollars in settlements after it was hit with various class action lawsuits.
The company paid out $18 million in a FaceTime settlement to users who owned an Apple iPhone 4 or 4s and were using an iOS6 or earlier operating system and had not been “jailbroken.” The company faced allegations that it manipulated the FaceTime app, causing it to fail for consumers who were running an old operating system on their iPhones. FaceTime is a video calling service available for iPhone users.
Also last year, Apple agreed to pay $500 million to settle one U.S. class action lawsuit over its iPhones’ battery life, with a significant payout of $500 to each Class Member.
Do you have an Apple ID account? How would you feel if your account was deleted without an explanation? Let us know in the comments section!
Price is represented by Jonathan Shub and Kevin Laukaitis of Shub Law Firm LLC, Keith T. Vernon and Andrew Knox of Timoney Knox LLP, and Troy M. Frederick and Beth A. Frederick of Frederick Law Group PLLC.
The Apple ID Termination Class Action Lawsuit is Matthew Price v. Apple Inc., Case No. 5:21-cv-02846, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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December 15, 2025 | Legal News
30 thoughts onApple User Lost Almost $25K in Purchases After His Account Was Unlawfully Deleted, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges
This just happened to me a week ago for no reason whatsoever. I was watching a TV show and I did the latest update on my phone. After the update, It came up with a red bubble saying I needed to update my Apple Pay, so I went and added my Debit Card card which was on there before the update. I actually used their camera which takes a photo of your card and input the numbers automatically , then all of a sudden I got a message saying I was locked out of my account. I have spoken to about five different Apple representatives, who can’t do anything about it. It was escalated to a different team and they denied to turn my account back on even though I did nothing wrong. As a military spouse I need my phone and have spend a fortune on movies for my husband for when he deploys, they told me to create a new Apple ID but I have over 500 movies which is $10,000 worth and 18 TV series which were like $100 each so I’ve spent lots of money on my Apple ID. I had no idea they could literally take it all my stuff away, for no reason, with the terrible excuse of it being a breach of terms and conditions. The funny thing is I can’t even create a new Apple ID because my phone number is attached to the old one that is locked, and being a key spouse and the point of contact for thousands of military spouses, I can can’t just up and change my phone number. It would be a massive massive inconvenience.
This just happened to me a week ago. No explanation no warning no apology. After having the same user ID for 15 years. How do I join?
This just happened to me on jan 4 2025. woke up one morning asked to verify Apple password would not accept my password. locked me out of my account and sent an email that my access has been denied . when I called Apple support they told me my account has been deactivated with no explanation. All my photos and videos all memories and purchases made are gone no explanation. i’ve had the same Apple account for over 10 years. I am completely devastated.
I wasn’t aware this was possible to happen without any cause but this has happen to me also recently. I contact apple twice it. After they close my account. I contact them two separate agent told me the same thing. Your account has been close without any cause or anything, both offer to send me the apple policy to view & maybe I’ll find something I violated. No solution no answer. Literally someone can just wake up within the company & just close your account without any reason.
This is Yue, [email protected] contact me ,I encountered this problem on February 1, 2024, apple
The ID was stolen and a lot of information and money were lost, but they handled it in a very unreasonable way. There is only one way, which is to remove the activation lock. This means that even if I have all the evidence to prove that the Apple ID is mine, I can’t get it back. also apple credit card, account is gone, but the credit card cannot be used and more detailed information, please contact me.