Apple Faces Another iPhone Lawsuit Over 'Programmed Obsolescence'

[MacRumors]

Apple faces a new class-action lawsuit that accuses it of deliberately releasing iOS updates that slowly reduce the performance of an iPhone, forcing customers to upgrade their devices.

The lawsuit comes from the Portuguese Consumer Protection Agency, Deco Proteste (via Marketeer), which in a statement says that it will proceed with a case against the Cupertino tech giant because it "deliberately manipulated, and without informing its users, the performance of its most popular devices... in doing so, it forced thousands of users to replace the battery of their devices or buy a new smartphone, to their expectations."

In particular, the agency references the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, and 6S Plus, but says any Portuguese consumer, regardless of which iPhone model they have, can join in its fight to defend their "economic interests" and the environment. Additionally, the agency pinpoints the release of iOS 11 as the start of the case.

According to the agency, Apple was aware that the update would "have considerable impacts on iPhone performance." Yet, it still "encouraged its users to update the devices." Those who did update their device were "faced with a slow phone, with a weak performance and unexpected "blackouts," according to the statement.

Aware that it would cause slowness in devices, performance breaks, and unexpected blackouts, Apple encouraged iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, or 6S Plus users to update their devices with the latest version of their operating system. In doing so, he knew they would prefer new iPhones, not other brands, given the high loyalty of their customers.

Deco Proteste and Euroconsumer, a more extensive European consumer protection agency group, say they've been attempting to come to a resolution for consumers impacted by Apple's "programmed obsolescence" for the past three years, but have had no luck. Apple was forced to pay a fine of 10 million euros in Italy following an Italian consumer protection agency investigation. Deco Proteste says "Portuguese consumers deserve the same treatment," hence its intent to move forward with the lawsuit.

As part of its push to encourage Portuguese consumers to join in their legal battle, Deco Proteste has produced a short video titled "Some apples are spoiled ahead of time." The agency is also encouraging the use of the hashtag #stopobsolescenciaiiPhone6.

Article Link: Apple Faces Another iPhone Lawsuit Over 'Programmed Obsolescence'

 

[Smoovejayy]

This is so stupid, at this point. Yes, Apple could have communicated what they were doing behind the scenes. They didn't, they tried to make it right. Years ago. That's it.

 

[jonnyb098]

Considering the mountains of iPhone 12 complaints and most recently massive bugs that have gotten terrible with iOS lately, specifically iOS 13 and 14, (and even more specifically ios 14.4), I fully support Apple being forced to slow down on features and concentrate more on fixing bugs. My iPhone XR ran better on iOS 12 and 13 than my iPhone 12 does on iOS 14.

Unfortunately the only way you get companies to change is by screwing with their money.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Ouch! This is an ugly lawsuit.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

Once again I’m in agreement with this investigation. I’m not about to let apple off the hook because a bunch of macrumors posters ran to their defence. I want it investigated and handled properly, guilty or not.

That being said, apple doesn’t add enough features in between major releases to warrant some of those performance drops in my opinion. There’s something going on and I’m glad others are noticing.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

Case dismissed!..As an owner of iPhone 6 Plus, before any update, Apple advises customers that software update is only for Model XXX or later.

 

[Nozuka]

That being said, apple doesn’t add enough features in between major releases to warrant some of those performance drops in my opinion. There’s something going on and I’m glad others are noticing.

Not sure what you mean. My iPhone X remained fast from the day i bought it to the day i replaced it with the Mini.

 

[iShater]

Case dismissed!..As an owner of iPhone 6 Plus, before any update, Apple advises customers that software update is only for Model XXX or later.

Then that update should not be available if it will severely impact a device. I had a few year back an iPad that basically became useless after an iOS update, and there was no way to go back to previous version where it actually worked fine.

 

[upintheclouds]

I really miss using the 6 Plus in landscape. I wish the 12PM would support that again

 

[repoman016]

Considering the mountains of iPhone 12 complaints and most recently massive bugs that have gotten terrible with iOS lately, specifically iOS 13 and 14, (and even more specifically ios 14.4), I fully support Apple being forced to slow down on features and concentrate more on fixing bugs. My iPhone XR ran better on iOS 12 and 13 than my iPhone 12 does on iOS 14.

Unfortunately the only way you get companies to change is by screwing with their money.

I haven't enjoyed an iPhone since the 6s. Its a shame. Blame the phone (11 pro max), blame the software. Blame whatever but they aren't what they used to be. i have 10000 emoji's to pick from at the cost of stability.

 

[Scipster]

iPhone 6 and 6s? Deco Proteste is years behind the eight ball on this. At some point they have to say enough is enough.

Honestly, instead of fines, they should just allow old iPhone owners to downgrade their version of iOS to the one that came with the phone. Problem solved.

 

[Uaaerospace2]

Then that update should not be available if it will severely impact a device

Then you will complain because the update is not available for your device. At least now you have a personal choice to upgrade to the update or not.

 

[Kkspire]

What sucks is, I’ll bet apple never intended for it to be this way. Seems like they were actually trying to prolong the device usage and help folks with old batteries still be able to use the device. Some engineers didn’t think about legal stuff of the court of public opinion. Hope they were fired.

 

[swingerofbirch]

Replaceable batteries is the answer.

Almost every Apple ad or message is about how privacy on your iPhone is the most important thing ever.

BUT, if your battery dies, and it *will*, give us or one of our contracted depots physical possession of the your most personal, private device to change the battery out.

 

[I7guy]

Considering the mountains of iPhone 12 complaints and most recently massive bugs that have gotten terrible with iOS lately, specifically iOS 13 and 14, (and even more specifically ios 14.4), I fully support Apple being forced to slow down on features and concentrate more on fixing bugs. My iPhone XR ran better on iOS 12 and 13 than my iPhone 12 does on iOS 14.

Unfortunately the only way you get companies to change is by screwing with their money.

What "mountains of iphone 12 complaints" that are above any other release in the past and what "massive bugs" that are outside the norm for iphone releases?

As far as the lawsuit, at this point it seems to be a money grab, but there are likely other lawsuits waiting in the wings.

 

[DonInHtown]

Still waiting on my seven bucks from the last settlement.

 

[AirunJae]

I haven't enjoyed an iPhone since the 6s. Its a shame. Blame the phone (11 pro max), blame the software. Blame whatever but they aren't what they used to be. i have 10000 emoji's to pick from at the cost of stability.

Blaming emoji for (insert current gripe) is an old meme at this point.

 

[Rob_2811]

What sucks is, I’ll bet apple never intended for it to be this way. Seems like they were actually trying to prolong the device usage and help folks with old batteries still be able to use the device. Some engineers didn’t think about legal stuff of the court of public opinion. Hope they were fired.

Wasn't it established that the performance had been throttled on phones that were only a year old?

 

[luvbug]

They should be suing the consumer for too much discretionary income. No one forces people to upgrade. If they didn't, companies wouldn't be coming up with newer designs so frequently.

 

[theSpringMaster]

Considering the mountains of iPhone 12 complaints and most recently massive bugs that have gotten terrible with iOS lately, specifically iOS 13 and 14, (and even more specifically ios 14.4), I fully support Apple being forced to slow down on features and concentrate more on fixing bugs. My iPhone XR ran better on iOS 12 and 13 than my iPhone 12 does on iOS 14.

Unfortunately the only way you get companies to change is by screwing with their money.

Really? I haven’t had any issues at all on my 12 Pro Max. I’m not saying you’re wrong at all, I’m just surprised that there have been so many other users with troubles with theirs. My iPhone works perfectly, but if there are this many issues with it, Apple needs to make it right.

 

[Razorpit]

What sucks is, I’ll bet apple never intended for it to be this way. Seems like they were actually trying to prolong the device usage and help folks with old batteries still be able to use the device. Some engineers didn’t think about legal stuff of the court of public opinion. Hope they were fired.

Pretty harsh don’t you think? Firing engineers for trying to prolong the usefulness of a device?

Apple spends a lot of time and money training engineers and increasing their value to the company. As a share holder I wouldn‘t want to see them waste that investment on something like this. Use it as a teachable moment going forward.

Who knows what mistakes the ”new” engineers that replace them might make.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Unfortunately the only way you get companies to change is by screwing with their money.

100% agree. I'm not SUPER ANGRY at Apple for this but what they were doing was obvious.

Not sure what you mean. My iPhone X remained fast from the day i bought it to the day i replaced it with the Mini.

The X isn't that old. The iPhone 6 and 6s in particular were the ones that really showed how bad Apple was pushing people to get new phones.

iPhone 6 and 6s? Deco Proteste is years behind the eight ball on this. At some point they have to say enough is enough.

Honestly, instead of fines, they should just allow old iPhone owners to downgrade their version of iOS to the one that came with the phone. Problem solved.

I agree, but that first statement is very first world. Not everyone wants or needs to upgrade a phone every 6 months to a year. My iPhone 6 was excellent until Apple started pushing updated that caused it to slow down and to start draining the battery faster than necessary.

After 18 months, I would take the phone off the charger and two hours later, having not used it, 70% of the battery was gone.

Now, the option to downgrade is spot on, I agree 100%. I could at least use my 6 as a backup phone or give it to the kids ... or sell the thing at that point.

 

[justin216]

The planned obsolesce stuff always gives me pause, given how many years Apple supplies updates for hardware. Feels like there would be more merit if this was more in alignment with what has happened on the Android side of the fence, where maybe you get 2 years of updates. Granted, that's improving now with the more recent commitments from Samsung (et al), but historically you'd get a couple years from Android manufacturers, and 2-3 times that from Apple.

That said, 100% on-board with a thorough investigation, and maybe some commitment from Apple to better test changes on older hardware if they're going to be included in said further updates. Even on the latest hardware, there have been some surprising bugs crop up from software version to software version.

My overall experience is positive, but everyone uses their devices differently, use different software load outs that may exasperate other problems more than others. Healthy to keep Apple in check.

 

[topgunn]

Considering the mountains of iPhone 12 complaints and most recently massive bugs that have gotten terrible with iOS lately, specifically iOS 13 and 14, (and even more specifically ios 14.4), I fully support Apple being forced to slow down on features and concentrate more on fixing bugs. My iPhone XR ran better on iOS 12 and 13 than my iPhone 12 does on iOS 14.

Unfortunately the only way you get companies to change is by screwing with their money.

I could not be happier with my iPhone 12 Pro and iOS 14. It is the best upgrade since I got my iPhone 4.

 

[TimB21]

What sucks is, I’ll bet apple never intended for it to be this way. Seems like they were actually trying to prolong the device usage and help folks with old batteries still be able to use the device. Some engineers didn’t think about legal stuff of the court of public opinion. Hope they were fired.

Fire the product managers!