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

[HEK]

You are mistaken. It's an optional feature AFTER you figure out its on. My wife homeschools our children and never once noticed her phone switching from wifi to cellular. We now have a huge overage bill. Explain how she would have known? She's owned every iPhone since the 3G and never once had to watch the signal indicator like a hawk. Apple turns this on without telling her.

Your hawk eyed wife must need glasses. If she watched the data usage go up and up, why didn't she turn off LTE data before going over. Classic blame shifting.

 

[oldmacs]

It laughable in the slightest.

Do we get a popup screen asking can every app access mobile data. No we don't it is enabled by default and you can go and turn it off app by app.

Is there a warning when you turn on your phone or do an update informing you that you may be using data and may cost you extra.

Wifi assist has always been there in some form of fashion. You go 'out' of range and it switches to cellular data. Now you can actually control whether you are properly out of range.

Do you not get it? People are used to connecting to wifi at home meaning they're using wifi NOT Mobile data. Its a simple concept that works well for people avoiding high data chargers.

People know that if they're using apps with mobile data while out, that downloads will count against their mobile data - its a learnt behaviour. Its common sense. If you're not connected to wifi, then anything will download over mobile data, if you're connected to wifi, everything will download over Wifi. Apple has gone ahead and changed this to, sometimes even though you're connected to your Wifi, things will download over your mobile data without you knowing.

If Apple wants to change things, especially things that could lead to high external costs, then they need to inform users properly with warnings, and making it an opt in system.

My God you people are spoiled! Before wifi assist your phone would switch to cellular. It happened to my wife frequently way before wifi assist. Did she complain and blame Apple or her wireless carrier? No we installed another wifi AP in the house to get rid of dead spots.

What spoilt, because I disapprove of Apple screwing people over? Its fairly well learnt that if you're NOT connected to wifi, that your mobile data will kick in. People know that, just it used to be that if a device were connected to wifi, it would use that - now even if you ARE connected to Wifi, your device can still use mobile data without the person knowing.

It should be off and an opt in feature.

 

[dbrose]

However, that's simply the way the industry works. And I don't think the EULA ought to get Apple off the hook on this one. It was bad policy, and expecting users—who span from the technically inclined to the grandmas and grandpas of the world—cannot reasonably be expected to foresee the implications of this "feature."

IMHO, it should have been off by default, and it should bring up a pop-up warning when you turn it on. And it certainly shouldn't be buried all the way at the bottom of the "Cellular" settings menu.

It has nothing to do with EULA. This was release notes but the principle is the same. The information is there. Read it.

I do however agree it should have been disabled by default and it shouldn't be buried at the bottom of the list. But hey ho it isn't and is at the bottom. But I read the release notes and knew about it.

 

[ptb42]

IMHO, it should have been off by default, and it should bring up a pop-up warning when you turn it on. And it certainly shouldn't be buried all the way at the bottom of the "Cellular" settings menu.

I agree with you about this.

But, the remedy is not a class-action lawsuit that does nothing but line the pockets of lawyers. It should have been taken up with Apple.

Ideally, it should have been caught during beta-testing. I didn't participate, but I've been a beta-tester for other products and have reported things with unintended consequences that were subsequently fixed.

Ironically, Apple is probably LESS inclined to change the default setting now, because it would be characterized as an admission of fault.

NOBODY wins something like this when the lawyers get involved -- except the lawyers. That's why I shake my head and sigh when I see people claim it's the solution.

 

[samcraig]

Your hawk eyed wife must need glasses. If she watched the data usage go up and up, why didn't she turn off LTE data before going over. Classic blame shifting.

Did you read what he wrote. Because nothing you responded is relevant given his anecdote.

 

[oldmacs]

I do however agree it should have been disabled by default and it shouldn't be buried at the bottom of the list. But hey ho it isn't and is at the bottom. But I read the release notes and knew about it.

Shift the blame yes, because your average iOS user is to blame and not Apple, a huge company who has technological knowledge and should have realised that this setting would lead to issues.

Or am I unaware that the release notes highlighted Wifi Assist with a warning that if left on, it could lead to excess data charges?

 

[HEK]

Ok so what happens in two iOS versions time where most people are used to the option (like LTE) but some still don't realise or are new to iOS and it is no longer in the release notes and still on by default.

How long should it be highlighted for. It was in the release notes. Just because the culture is that you don't bother reading them doesn't mean the info isn't there. Should we still be told in iOS 11 about this feature.

I read the release notes decided it wasn't for me for various reasons and so turned it off. I didn't wait until it was all over forums to know about the feature.

It's in the release notes. People don't read it, case closed. They were informed.

 

[dbrose]

What spoilt, because I disapprove of Apple screwing people over? Its fairly well learnt that if you're NOT connected to wifi, that your mobile data will kick in. People know that, just it used to be that if a device were connected to wifi, it would use that - now even if you ARE connected to Wifi, your device can still use mobile data without the person knowing.

It should be off and an opt in feature.

Let's be clear here Apple aren't screwing anyone over. They earn absolutely nothing from this.

To be screwing someone over surely there has to be some sort of financial or other benefit to Apple.

If anyone is could benefit the mobile networks.

 

[RedOrchestra]

Solution: turn feature off, problem solved!

Couldn't agree more BUT every time Apple does a new release it's a scavenger hunt to locate and disable everything that looks to push, looks to locate, looks to use ... how about just have everything toggled off and leave it to individuals to go and toggle the feature on, if they want it ... how about that for a change.

 

[oldmacs]

Let's be clear here Apple aren't screwing anyone over. They earn absolutely nothing from this.

To be screwing someone over surely there has to be some sort of financial or other benefit to Apple.

If anyone is could benefit the mobile networks.

Screwing over can be as a result of not thinking things through properly. And thats what apple have done. Not thought it through properly.

 

[C DM]

I still find it laughable that you persist defending Apple. It should be an optional on off thing when you set up your iPhone then. Like Siri and Location settings are, with a warning of what it does.

Did the update notes say "Warning, this feature may cost you extra, as it may use your mobile data when you expect it not to"?

We're talking average users here.

And what about similar WiFi detection improvements that were made in previous iOS versions and new hardware that simply were built in and didn't have a user option associated with them (they were just on by default and everyone got them without a way to control them even)?

 

[john123]

Another BS lawsuit wanting to dip in the deep pockets of Apple. it appears to be something that can be turned off, so...turn it off. I don't believe lawsuits based on stupidity have any merit.

What you're calling "stupidity" is what I would call a non-obvious implication of a feature buried pretty deeply in settings.

 

[C DM]

Screwing over can be as a result of not thinking things through properly. And thats what apple have done. Not thought it through properly.

Doesn't seem like any screwing over has been happening. Perhaps that's part of the issue with all of this?

 

[oldmacs]

It's in the release notes. People don't read it, case closed. They were informed.

There is no warning in the release notes, and there is no mention of it in the release notes of 9.0.1, 9.0.2 or 9.1, or anyone upgrading to a new iOS 9 device from an older one. So only the upgraders from 9.0 got it.

Not to mention the majority of iOS users are simple users - why should they be expected to fully understand what the consequences of Wifi assist are?

But no obviously poor little Apple needs to be defended for making irrational choices.

 

[john123]

It isn't laughable in the slightest.

Do we get a popup screen asking can every app access mobile data. No we don't it is enabled by default and you can go and turn it off app by app.

Is there a warning when you turn on your phone or do an update informing you that you may be using data and may cost you extra.

Actually, you don't get cellular OS updates over the air anymore. Why? A class action lawsuit (and the associated media circus) from when it was possible. While these suits may seem frivolous to some, and the amount that goes into lawyers' coffers is unfortunate, they do serve a valuable policy purpose.

 

[samcraig]

It's in the release notes. People don't read it, case closed. They were informed.

When you buy a new phone, do you get those release notes?

 

[oldmacs]

Doesn't seem like any screwing over has been happening. Perhaps that's part of the issue with all of this?

Oh yes defend defend defend defend.

Apple has screwed people over by automatically enabling a new feature in iOS that changes a basic learned behaviour in iOS causing people to be charged high sums of money by going over data limits, due to using their device the same way they used to be - without giving proper explanation of the risks of this setting anywhere, and having no mention of it past iOS 9.0.

Thats screwing people over right there.

 

[oldmacs]

And what about similar WiFi detection improvements that were made in previous iOS versions and new hardware that simply were built in and didn't have a user option associated with them (they were just on by default and everyone got them without a way to control them even)?

They didn't drastically chance user habits towards conservation of mobile data allowances.

 

[AppleFan91]

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

So Apple (and every other manufacturer) were "stupid" to enable LTE out of the box? Then we should have the devices on 2G speeds still. This is a slippery slope you people are playing. By that, everything should be at the minimum out of the box rather than fully featured. At some point, ignorance is no excuse.

 

[C DM]

Do you not get it? People are used to connecting to wifi at home meaning they're using wifi NOT Mobile data. Its a simple concept that works well for people avoiding high data chargers.

People know that if they're using apps with mobile data while out, that downloads will count against their mobile data - its a learnt behaviour. Its common sense. If you're not connected to wifi, then anything will download over mobile data, if you're connected to wifi, everything will download over Wifi. Apple has gone ahead and changed this to, sometimes even though you're connected to your Wifi, things will download over your mobile data without you knowing.

If Apple wants to change things, especially things that could lead to high external costs, then they need to inform users properly with warnings, and making it an opt in system.




What spoilt, because I disapprove of Apple screwing people over? Its fairly well learnt that if you're NOT connected to wifi, that your mobile data will kick in. People know that, just it used to be that if a device were connected to wifi, it would use that - now even if you ARE connected to Wifi, your device can still use mobile data without the person knowing.

It should be off and an opt in feature.

Were these people connected to WiFi that wasn't working for them all that time? Because that's basically the situation where it would get dropped and switched to mobile data. Which would clearly be indicated by the disappearance of the WiFi connection icon and appearance of a cellular connection icon, just as has always been the case when the WiFi connection would drop for whatever reason.

 

[HEK]

Shift the blame yes, because your average iOS user is to blame and not Apple, a huge company who has technological knowledge and should have realised that this setting would lead to issues.

Or am I unaware that the release notes highlighted Wifi Assist with a warning that if left on, it could lead to excess data charges?

Warning, if you continue filling this cup after it is full the liquid will overflow and spill on surrounding surface. This could cost you carpet cleaning, sofa cushion replacement, or other costs depending on underlying surface. Oh and if the liquid is hot it could burn you as it spills costing you doctor appointments. And if the liquid is water based and you have any sodium under or near the cup, it could explode. Causing serious injury and cost.

 

[dbrose]

There is no warning in the release notes, and there is no mention of it in the release notes of 9.0.1, 9.0.2 or 9.1, or anyone upgrading to a new iOS 9 device from an older one. So only the upgraders from 9.0 got it.

Not to mention the majority of iOS users are simple users - why should they be expected to fully understand what the consequences of Wifi assist are?

But no obviously poor little Apple needs to be defended for making irrational choices.

Ok so 9.0.1, 9.0.2 and 9.1 should include all the changes from 9.0? I don't see extensibility listed as part of 9 as it was there in 8, we don't see copy and paste listed as a feature as it was in 3 or iMessage from 5, etc ... I also don't believe extensibility was listed in 8.0.1 and other point releases. How far do you go.

Simple users aside. When you install an update it has release information and terms and conditions/agreement. It is the culture to blame if you don't read them.

I used the feature through the beta release it worked however broke my data in the final release so have turned it off. The break is with my carrier update so waiting for them to fix it.

 

[john123]

Ironically, Apple is probably LESS inclined to change the default setting now, because it would be characterized as an admission of fault.

NOBODY wins something like this when the lawyers get involved -- except the lawyers. That's why I shake my head and sigh when I see people claim it's the solution.

I dislike excess litigation as much as the next guy. But as you know, the way these class action things often go is that the parties agree on a settlement in which the defendant expressly doesn't admit fault but pays a settlement anyway. And then the issue in question tends to get fixed. So I see these things as a necessary evil.

 

[oldmacs]

Warning, if you continue filling this cup after it is full the liquid will overflow and spill on surrounding surface. This could cost you carpet cleaning, sofa cushion replacement, or other costs depending on underlying surface. Oh and if the liquid is hot it could burn you as it spills costing you doctor appointments. And if the liquid is water based and you have any sodium under or near the cup, it could explode. Causing serious injury and cost.

There is common sense, and then there is Apple completely changing learnt behaviours without properly informing users.

 

[ptb42]

Thats screwing people over right there.

Please take a break, instead of digging yourself into a deeper hole.

"Screwing people over" is an intentional act, to treat someone unfairly or take unfair advantage of them.

You are entitled to complain about unintended consequences. But, please drop the indignant act: there's was no subterfuge.

Apple didn't do this to extract more money out of you. And I really hope you won't put on your tinfoil hat and claim it's was a conspiracy with AT&T and Verizon.

The only people attempting to "screw over" anyone is the lawyer behind this class-action lawsuit. He/She will be the only one to make any money off this -- you'll be lucky to get a buck or two.