iPhones. Image: GETTY IMAGES
Apple settles lawsuits alleging that it purposefully slowed down iPhones.
In response to allegations that it purposefully slowed down some iPhone models in the US, Apple has started paying settlements in a protracted class action case.
The $500 million (£394 million) settlement will be divided among the complainants, amounting to about $92 (£72) per claim.
Apple stated at the time that it denied any wrongdoing but was concerned about the cost of pursuing legal action, and as a result, it agreed to settle the complaint in 2020.
A comparable lawsuit in the UK is requesting £1.6 billion in damages.
The US case began in December 2017, when Apple acknowledged that it had purposefully slowed down some iPhones as they aged, confirming a long-held fear among phone users.
It claimed that when batteries grew older, their efficiency dropped, resulting in a “slowdown” that extended the life of the phones.
However, following accusations that it had secretly throttled the performance of some iPhone models, Apple responded to the outcry by providing a low-cost battery replacement.
The US legal action resulted from it. It was projected at the time of the settlement that each individual might receive as little as $25, but it looks like the real payout is nearly four times that amount.
Apple failed in its attempt to stop a comparable class action case in the UK last November.
Justin Gutmann initially filed the lawsuit in June 2022, on behalf of an estimated 24 million iPhone users.
Before, Apple referred to the complaint as “baseless” and declared, “We have never – and would never – do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.”
In contrast to the US settlement, which was limited to iPhone 6 and 7 models, the UK complaint further demands damages for owners of iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X models.
While Mr. Gutmann told the BBC that he was happy to learn that payments were being made in the US, he cautioned that this had no influence on the UK case.
“It doesn’t advance our position here, they haven’t admitted anything – they’ve settled,” he continued.
“It’s hardly much use to me, but it’s a moral win. I must persevere and take the case to the UK’s jurisdiction.”
According to him, Apple is “fighting tooth and nail” to prevent the UK class action. The matter will next be heard by the Court of Appeal, which will take the company’s request to put a stop to it into consideration.
Although he expressed uncertainty about the future steps, he thinks that a study will take place in late 2024 or early 2025.