Apple Settles Family Sharing Subscription Lawsuit

[MacRumors]

Apple has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over Family Sharing, and will pay out $25 million to put an end to the case. First filed in 2019, the lawsuit accused Apple of misrepresenting the way that subscriptions to third-party apps worked with the Family Sharing feature.

While Family Sharing allows participants to share subscriptions with one another, app developers can opt out of allowing a single subscription to be shared among multiple people. Not all subscriptions can be shared because of the opt out policy, which is what led to the lawsuit.

Though Apple has agreed to a settlement, the company says it did nothing wrong and denies making misleading misrepresentations. Apple decided to avoid the potential cost and burden of a jury trial.

U.S. Apple users who participated in a Family Sharing group with at least one other member and purchased a subscription to an app through the App Store between June 21, 2015 and January 30, 2019 are eligible for a payment.

Each class member that files a claim is set to get $30, though that total will vary depending on how many claims are made. The payout will not exceed $50 per claimant, and up to $10 million will go toward attorney fees. Emails about the lawsuit settlement are being sent out to eligible customers as of this week.

Customers have until March 1, 2024 to file a claim, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2024. More information can be found on the website for the settlement.

Article Link: Apple Settles Family Sharing Subscription Lawsuit

 

[hondo77]

Sure, the lawyers are getting almost half but it's okay because they've helped to make the world a better place as a result of the lawsuit, right? Amiright?

 

[thenahon]

Not all subscriptions can be shared because of the opt out policy, which is what led to the lawsuit.

Sure seems like they should get rid of the "opt out" policy then...

 

[msackey]

I don't think they should get rid of the opt-out policy. It's good that developers can determine if they want a full subscription per person for their app or if it should be shareable.

I don't recall Family Sharing being confusing over 3rd party subscriptions though, but if it was confusing, just make it clearer upfront.

 

[GMShadow]

Sure seems like they should get rid of the "opt out" policy then...

So developers can cry more to the EU and the media?

 

[vegetassj4]

I would like to file a claim as I shared with my family: me, myself, and I

We are being represented by Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, LLP

 

[whirldy]

Sure, the lawyers are getting almost half but it's okay because they've helped to make the world a better place as a result of the lawsuit, right? Amiright?

You know why they bury ⚰️ lawyers 12 feet down instead of 6 feet?

Because deep down, they’re really nice people! 💐

 

[erikkfi]

Sure seems like they should get rid of the "opt out" policy then...

But then those developers will flee to another app store. Oh wait...

 

[philstubbington]

I would like to file a claim as I shared with my family: me, myself, and I

We are being represented by Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, LLP

My late father worked with a Law Professor whose surname was Cheatem. Thinking about it, he might have been an accountant - still holds true though 😂

 

[appleguy123]

Funny how Apple sent this settlement notice to my iCloud spam folder 😂

 

[coolfactor]

What a waste of time and money. $10 million for lawyer fees? That's outrageous.

 

[smoker68x]

I don't recall Family Sharing being confusing over 3rd party subscriptions though, but if it was confusing, just make it clearer upfront.

I’m confused, I didn’t know app subscriptions COULD be shared at all. Now I’ll have to look for it, because that would make some subscriptions worthwhile.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Sure, the lawyers are getting almost half but it's okay because they've helped to make the world a better place as a result of the lawsuit, right? Amiright?

Sarcasm aside, the lawyers did what countless state and federal AG offices, regulators, and legislators failed to do.

 

[ackmondual]

So just to see if I got this right...
Some Subs were being labeled as eligible for family sharing, but were opted out by the devs, but that part wasn't communicated to the buyers?

 

[ackmondual]

I’m confused, I didn’t know app subscriptions COULD be shared at all. Now I’ll have to look for it, because that would make some subscriptions worthwhile.

IIRC, there is family sharing on some app purchases, so if you buy it, "everyone in your family" also gets it. Not sure if this applies to IAP though. I recall on Android, it does let you share the app purchase (for apps that participate in it), but NOT any of the IAP.

I guess while we're at it, not to be confused with family plans which lets more people get in on the sub, but for a lower, per-person price. For examples...
--Apple One individual vs. family
--Nintendo Switch Online individual ($20/yr) vs. family ($35/yr for up to 8 ppl)
--Microsoft Office 365 ($70/yr) vs. the family plan ($100/yr for up to 6 ppl)

 

[wigby]

Apple has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over Family Sharing, and will pay out $25 million to put an end to the case. First filed in 2019, the lawsuit accused Apple of misrepresenting the way that subscriptions to third-party apps worked with the Family Sharing feature.

While Family Sharing allows participants to share subscriptions with one another, app developers can opt out of allowing a single subscription to be shared among multiple people. Not all subscriptions can be shared because of the opt out policy, which is what led to the lawsuit.

Though Apple has agreed to a settlement, the company says it did nothing wrong and denies making misleading misrepresentations. Apple decided to avoid the potential cost and burden of a jury trial.

U.S. Apple users who participated in a Family Sharing group with at least one other member and purchased a subscription to an app through the App Store between June 21, 2015 and January 30, 2019 are eligible for a payment.

Each class member that files a claim is set to get $30, though that total will vary depending on how many claims are made. The payout will not exceed $50 per claimant, and up to $10 million will go toward attorney fees. Emails about the lawsuit settlement are being sent out to eligible customers as of this week.

Customers have until March 1, 2024 to file a claim, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2024. More information can be found on the website for the settlement.

Article Link: Apple Settles Family Sharing Subscription Lawsuit

I received my class action opt in email before this story was even published. If only customer service was this fast to react.

 

[Bigkool2inSC]

i'm still waiting for my batterygate checks..

 

[coffeemilktea]

This isn't related to the article's content, but every time I see a picture of an M1 MacBook Air (like in the article image), I'm reminded of how good it looks. The M2 is fine, but the M1 Air might be the best-looking laptop in history. 😩

 

[trip1ex]

Lawyers win! Lawyers win!

Better than calling your NFL team the Commanders.

 

[Dionte]

Better off doing small claims and representing yourself than going through a lawyer. 30-50 dollars, lol.

 

[sparkinstx]

I would like to file a claim as I shared with my family: me, myself, and I

We are being represented by Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, LLP

Boyd, Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, LLP.

 

[NufSaid]

10 million.
Realize even at a really high hourly rate that is 555 WEEKS of work?

Why are laws in place that allow that?

 

[dannyyankou]

i'm still waiting for my batterygate checks..

I'm waiting for my butterfly keyboard checks lol

 

[gumbyhw]

Family sharing is confusing. First, nobody knows to look for “family sharing enabled” — apple just says that family sharing worka. Second, you have to look at what your family members bought. The App Store doesn’t automatically display a download icon on the app. So you can buy an app that a family member already bought,

I consider the whole thing deceptive. Apple knows how to make things clear — it’s one of the company’s key strengths.

 

[AlmightyKang]

I've been naughty so when I'm reincarnated I'm coming back as a lawyer!