Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit for New Wi-Fi Assist Feature

[dbrose]

During the beta period I had this turned on as it is by default. I knew about it and looked forward to it and could totally see why to use it especially when in a restaurant that might have free WiFi but normally saturated.

However when the final release came out there were issues that when I received a phone call my data dropped out and would not return unless I switched mobile data off then on. After contacting my phone company they said disable WiFi assist and should work no problem. This fixed it. So there are other issues in there somewhere as well.


Personally I'm not bothered about it being on by default. I read the release notes and knew what I was getting what is more annoying as has been said is the location of the toggle. I don't think there are any other toggles at such at the bottom of a list that could grow and grow. Why hide it there?

 

[appledefenceforce]

Solution: turn feature off, problem solved!

It's turned on automatically by Apple after you update to iOS 9. So yeah, the problem has already left consequences before it's "solved".

Know who they should be suing? The damn wireless carriers! The **** they pull, data caps, excessive fees and charges. Yeah, how about the carriers instead.

Well if you go on an agreement to use x amount of products, then don't complain when you use more than that and get charged a penalty. It's written in the agreement. Plus pretty much all big carriers have usage notifications AND apps for you to check your usage. Then it's your fault if you still use more than what you pay for and hence get charged more.

 

[User008]

You people really don't seem to understand class action lawsuits. The large dollar amount is to get the attention of a giant corporation that otherwise won't bother to respond, for one thing. For another thing, since there may be thousands or tens of thousands of qualifying plaintiffs most people that are part of a class action lawsuit typically end up with a compensatory check for anywhere from 99c to $15. Class action lawsuits are not money-making schemes. Except for the lawyers, but they make money on anything, on either side.

Anyone who doesn't think that it was stupid of Apple to turn this on by default has obviously never had to pay the ridiculously expensive overage fees most cellular companies are still charging. I got screwed out of my unlimited data because someone at AT&T made a mistake years ago and I didn't catch it in time, so I try to keep my cellular data usage to a minimum. So I'm not happy this feature has been enabled without my knowledge. Plus, I read most of the feature announcements with each new version of iOS but I still didn't realize this even existed. I can see how a lot of people might be extremely unhappy about getting unexpectedly high phone bills the last month or so, when they are otherwise careful to avoid using too much cellular data.

This is one thing that it was not wise of Apple to enable by default. Not cool.

I created an account simply to thank you for posting this. The amount of surrounding derp is astounding.

 

[C DM]

It's turned on automatically by Apple after you update to iOS 9. So yeah, the problem has already left consequences before it's "solved".

Apple has improved their network detection and switching algorithms and methods with prior iOS updates and hardware updates and it's never been an issue until now simply because they provided a user facing option to allow the fine tuning of it rather than just doing it within the iOS code without an option as they have done before.

 

[Makosuke]

Having T-Mobile I have no risk of overage charges personally--the worst this could have done to me is cause somewhat slow internet for the remainder of the month--but enough providers in the US still screw you on data caps that I can see why Apple should not have enabled the feature by default. Not sure how much sense a class action lawsuit makes, but eh, the system is what it is.

Personally, though, I really love the feature. For me, it basically means that when I'm walking away from wifi on the way to or from work, there isn't a delay when I'm just going out of range but the connection hasn't dropped during which I have no internet service. Instead it switches much more seamlessly.

 

[thelion7]

Apple was slapped with a $5 million class action lawsuit over iOS 9's Wi-Fi Assist feature today, according to AppleInsider. The new feature is turned on by default in iOS 9 and automatically switches a user to cellular data when the local Wi-Fi connection is weak.

The feature is an attempt to create a more smooth user experience, but some users have complained that the feature increases data use, which would take some users near or over their monthly data caps. In October, Apple admitted that users should only see a "small percentage" hike in data usage and attempted to ease concerns over the feature.

In a support document, Apple explained that the feature does not work when a user is roaming, only works when apps are in the foreground and doesn't work with third-party apps that use large amounts of data, like music and video streaming apps.

The lawsuit says that plaintiffs William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips were subjected to overage charges on their iPhones after updating to iOS 9, although the suit doesn't list how much those charges were. However, the plaintiffs claim that the "overall amount in controversy exceeds" $5 million. The suit also notes that Apple did not clearly explain the feature until the media covered user complaints, but that at that point it was too late for the plaintiffs.
Wi-Fi assist is available on devices running iOS 9 or later, although the feature is not supported on the iPhone 4s, iPad 2, the 3rd-generation iPad and the 1st-generation iPad mini. To turn off Wi-Fi Assist, users can go to Settings > Cellular and scroll down to the bottom to toggle off the feature.

Article Link: Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit for New Wi-Fi Assist Feature

 

[thelion7]

Hi guys,

I have the perfect fix for Apple....

Realise a tiny software update on iOS to have the feature switched off by default and then have apple advertise the feature using its tips.

By doing this everybody wins, Apple can't get into trouble for making the feature available, telling us about it and giving us the option to use it.

Hell I use Wifi assist but I'm on a 20GB 4G plan and still only use 13GB

 

[rikscha]

There is the legal system in the middle east and right after that one comes the US system in my personal most ridiculous legal system in the world ranking.

The legal system is constantly exploited to make big personal gains for some BS with the only purpose to become rich.

How pitiful.

 

[H2SO4]

You don't need to have the condescending first paragraph. It discredits your opinion. While I mostly agree with it, just for the sake of playing devils advocate, how does this differ from the iPhone 5 having "Enable LTE" turned on by default. People had tiered data plans then and LTE loads data quicker which will cause people to consume more. (Not technically more, but consume it quicker, thus making it easier for more)

Then it shows that Apple have form and have now been stupid at least twice.

 

[H2SO4]

Have they ever heard of release notes? People should read those more often. They're always presented at the time of update, no excuses.

Whilst in theory this is the way to go, in practice it doesn’t work like that. Apple are one company where they purport to make things easy for granny. I might read release notes but she doesn’t, geddit?
Have you read the entire EULA before using your device? I bet not. In fact any device or software. Don’t be so condescending.

 

[John Mcgregor]

There is a feature like that on my Galaxy S6 and it sucks balls. My wifi is just fine, but if i enable that feature it complains about poor signal 9 times out of 10 and switches to LTE.

 

[inscrewtable]

This is a terrible tragedy similar in some way to the customers who bought a Samsung stove that was installed correctly but turned off. Apparently Samsung technicians did this as they claimed it could be dangerous to install a stove and then switch it on. However nearly 300 people subsequently starved to death waiting for their dinner to cook utterly unaware that there were 'switches' and 'dials' which needed to be in 'operational' 'positions'.

 

[H2SO4]

Why don't we just address the root issue- carriers that still charge for overages?

LOL, genuis. Blame the gas stations becuase the car manufacturers have set your car up to burn more gas.

It’s a separate issue. Whilst the issue of overages may annoy you it’s better to have them. Unlimited tariffs for everyone means more expensive contracts from the outset.
Charge me for the data that I use rather than a blanket charge to account for everybody.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I don't have iOS 9 yet.

Can wifi assist be turned off manually? I only have 2GB a month, so prefer wifi when possible. It does sound like a useful thing, though. Otherwise, I turn wifi off when travelling to save battery life.

 

[vmistery]

I'm on a 1gb plan so this isn't a great feature for me at the moment. I suspected something was up as at work I get full 4G but works free wifi is a bit slow so I got a usage warning within 2 weeks, I just turned it off and my usage is back to normal.

Next time I might go crazy and go for 2gb

 

[vmistery]

I don't have iOS 9 yet.

Can wifi assist be turned off manually? I only have 2GB a month, so prefer wifi when possible. It does sound like a useful thing, though. Otherwise, I turn wifi off when travelling to save battery life.

Yes it can be disabled. I have a 1gb plan so turned it off. It's under 'mobile' or 'cellular' depending on your localisation

 

[Qbnkelt]

So since I'm an Apple fanboy who happens to have a brain and doesn't m defend Apple about everything...

These people have a fair point. It's a feature that turns wifi off and eats data, and it's turned on automatically with no warning when you update to iOS 9. I could see it being a problem for people who have weak wifi connection.

Actually I turned mine off when I upgraded my iPhone 6 to iOS 9 and it stayed off for the upgrade to iOS 9.1.

It did not toggle back on automatically.

Also, am I the only person who goes through settings when she gets new device? When are we as a society going to stop blaming others for our failure to act in a judicious manner? It's each person's responsibility to learn to use the device properly and to learn the new features.

Next thing someone will sue a cable company because AMC moved The Walking Dead without sending a personal letter thereby causing them to miss the show.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

HOW DARE APPLE DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES FOR A BETTER USER EXPERIENCE! I'D RATHER HAVE AN APP SIT AND SEARCH FOR SERVICE FOR 5 MINUTES THEN SWITCH OVER TO LTE LIKE IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THAN DO SO QUICKER SO I HAVE A LESS CRUMMY EXPERIENCE AND SPEND THE SAME DATA I ALWAYS HAVE.

Check your CapsLock.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

Check your CapsLock.

I think he may have used upper case in order to stress his point.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

I think he may have used upper case in order to stress his point.

Sure, Ben. Or was just scared of something and started shouting.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_technology#Netiquette).

 

[John Mcgregor]

This feature may sound great on paper, but it's not going to work great in real world. Wifi on it's own is way too unpredictable and depending on your carrier it's not even going to switch to mobile network as fast as you might want to.

My wifi at home has a signal which can be described as poor, but i still get maximum speeds with it and my carrier sucks balls, because at home i have LTE, but its very poor signal and it's usually on the edge of switching between 3G and LTE.

If i enable that smartswitch it will usually leave me without network connection for couple of minutes until damn phones puts its act together and switches to 3G.

 

[dbrose]

This feature may sound great on paper, but it's not going to work great in real world. Wifi on it's own is way too unpredictable and depending on your carrier it's not even going to switch to mobile network as fast as you might want to.

.

Which real world. The real world is specific to every user independently. Those who have unlimited plans this feature works brilliantly for, those without not so much. Hence a toggle and information in release notes.

 

[Daws001]

They are being way too greedy. I would have just asked for one of those shiny new 5k iMacs

 

[John Mcgregor]

Which real world. The real world is specific to every user independently. Those who have unlimited plans this feature works brilliantly for, those without not so much. Hence a toggle and information in release notes.

The plan you have is besides the point here. What is important is how this feature is reliable or not. How reliably it determines the poor wifi, what Apple thinks is poor wifi and so on. After we know all that we can move on to who has what plan and even then it's not important.

 

[BCC16]

So since I'm an Apple fanboy who happens to have a brain and doesn't m defend Apple about everything...

These people have a fair point. It's a feature that turns wifi off and eats data, and it's turned on automatically with no warning when you update to iOS 9. I could see it being a problem for people who have weak wifi connection.

Agreed. But suing for $5M, that's ridiculous.