Apple Will Face Lawsuit Over Phone-Switching iMessage Issue

[Septembersrain]

Apple Will Face Lawsuit Over Phone-Switching iMessage Issue

Well, I do think Apple waited a tad bit too long to make this tool available. It should have been available from the moment they realized people getting other devices were no longer able to get messages. Since iMessage was preventing them from receiving texts, it was Apple's responsibility to fix it.

 

[doelcm82]

explain ota automatic ios downloads to me?

explain why it took them years to offer this solution (which dosent even work for every country)?

explain why they released this software when it was obvious there were would be issues when people would move to another phone?

They hate you, personally.

 

[Liquorpuki]

I understand this problem, but I fail to understand why the sender's iPhone didn't try and send the iMessage as an SMS when it failed to be delivered, like it has always done. In fact, when my friends don't have any data available, my iPhone will just send as an SMS right away.

What is broken when you switch from an iPhone to a different device that the above doesn't automatically happen?

Sender's iPhone doesn't know because the iMessage server thinks everything is fine.

There's no failed to be delivered message or anything like that. The text just disappears and is never received

 

[martygras9]

I would have guessed you registered your account today if it wasn't for your join date. Apple apologists have always been mind-blowing with their arguments.

No, I've seen my fair share of blinded following on here. Honestly came to the comments because I couldn't imagine anyone having a legitimate argument while siding with Apple.

Again, love Apple, but this case is open and shut.

 

[Small White Car]

I understand this problem, but I fail to understand why the sender's iPhone didn't try and send the iMessage as an SMS when it failed to be delivered, like it has always done. In fact, when my friends don't have any data available, my iPhone will just send as an SMS right away.

What is broken when you switch from an iPhone to a different device that the above doesn't automatically happen?

The sender's iPhone only sends an SMS when that phone thinks it screwed up.

But in this case the iMessage goes to Apple's servers, the server's tell the sender's phone "I got it, she's offline but I'll send it when she's back!" and then the sender's phone says "ok" and forgets about it.

And the message just stays in Apple's server forever.

 

[brianvictor7]

So, what damages will they actually claim?

 

[the-msa]

Apple is and isn't at fault at the same time. They could be considered at fault because their messaging system is what did not send the message which it should have if iMessage wasn't available and "Send as SMS" is enabled, they could be considered not at fault because the recipient never told them they weren't an iOS user anymore and disabling iMessage before switching to a non-iOS device avoid the issue.

I don't see why a phone manufacturer should be allowed to lock my phone number in their system in the first place. Why would i need to tell my phone manufacturer that I'm switching? What does he have to do with that? #justapplethings

 

[cfedu]

"Moore is seeking both class-action status and unspecified damages from Apple."

Alright, so because she couldn't receive messages anymore, she thinks she is entitled to monetary compensation for damages? This is ridiculous.

Couldn't she have just disabled iMessage before switching to a new phone? So for her not disabling , she is now entitled to damages?

I disabled iMessages before switching and still had the problem. I did again with the help of an Apple REP and it still did not work by "just disabled iMessage before switching to a new phone"

Apple deserves to lose this one IMO

 

[charlituna]

The Deregister tool was a long time coming and should've been introduced at around the same time iMessage was.

But shockingly, here come the Applelogists!

Before that you could still call apple care and they did it for you. Which makes me wonder if she tried actually doing that at the time of the switch. Or did she wait for weeks etc.

The only thing different about this tool is that you don't need to call anyone

----------

Because it takes so long for Apple to correct its course of action? By offering the tool, Apple admitted that there is problem with iMessage. However, Apple did not do anything for years.

Not true. They have had ways to call them and get it turned off for ages. The only "ignoring" they did was not having this web tool.,

 

[iSRS]

you think this pending lawsuit had no impact on apple? they have had all the time in the world but they didnt care. same with a lot of things (seems to be more and more) and if it takes a lawsuit then so be it.

as for apples embarrassing comment that simply does not function as plaintiff subjectively believes it should.

apple didnt even have a proper solution for these customers to stop using imessage. this isnt about software not working as one hoped but rather making it extremely difficult for customers to use other phones.

That is 100% incorrect. They indeed have had, since iMessage came out, a way to get out of it. It was called, turning iMessage off before you switch phones. Works like a charm. I used it on my son's phone.

What Apple failed to do was make it easily understood of the process.

Furthermore, if the user has an iPad or Mac? She did not actually lose anything, she was just inconvenienced.

Yea, the spin doctor law experts here did not waste any time jumping this article and manning the apple defense shield.



Who knows what these missed messages could have caused her. Would you be perfectly fine with you old phone manufacturer essentially holding some of your mobile phone features hostage?



Did you read the article?

"Earlier this week, Apple introduced a tool that allows users to deregister their phone number from iMessage in order to prevent the issue from occurring. Prior to the launch of the web tool, there was no way for users to effectively remove themselves from the iMessage system."

Funny how they suddenly released a method to do this only after the threat of a lawsuit. I guess there really was a problem and perhaps this case has merit.



You should at least read the article as it seems you have zero clue what is going on here. If you can't be arsed to, maybe you should the one to bugger off mate.

Again, since day 1 there has been a way to get out. Turn it off. The problem lies on people who didn't know (a large majority, I would think) that they had to turn off iMessage before ditching the iPhone. Bonus! If the user had an iPad and/or Mac, they would not have lost any message, and been able to disassociate the phone number from there.

This tool is just for those who forgot and/or didn't know they had to, and only had the one Apple device.

 

[jcm1271]

What a waste of time. An embarrassment for the folks chosen to serve on this jury. They have to miss work for this case! An unbelievably petty situation. Come on!!!!

 

[cfedu]

There was a solution. Turn off iMessage from your phone before you switch. If you have switched put your sim back into said phone and disable it.

I did that and it did not work. I had to call Apple and they tried to charge me for the support call since my iPhone was out of warranty.

 

[numlock]

They hate you, personally.

you are assuming any of this affected my devices which it didnt.

That is 100% incorrect. They indeed have had, since iMessage came out, a way to get out of it. It was called, turning iMessage off before you switch phones. Works like a charm. I used it on my son's phone.

What Apple failed to do was make it easily understood of the process.

Furthermore, if the user has an iPad or Mac? She did not actually lose anything, she was just inconvenienced.

you obviously havent paid any attention to this story both now and before because there are numerous reports of that not working for people. seriously what compels you to post when you dont know more about this subject?

i didnt realize you had to own an mac or an ipad (i assume ipod as well) to get the optimum imessage experience.

 

[Yumbo]

What happens when SEND AS SMS is not turned on by Apple senders, and who may be using ID instead of number.

What happens if phone dies before disabling iMessage.

What happens when one doesn't call AppleCare to deregister your number, which was and is still possible before this week.

 

[Windlasher]

They don't, and that's the problem.

How do they NOT?

Verizon handle both your data and your cellular. Seems like Verizon could re-route an i-message to SMS because THEY are those ones who had to switch the phone service.

I'm not saying they should, but that they could. I'm sure Apple doesn't have the ability to track people who switch back and forth realtime but Verizon does.

 

[cfedu]

Easy solution. Don't switch to a non-iOS device!

An this is the reason Apple should lose this case as it can be viewed as anti competitive.

 

[charlituna]

This should be quite obvious that if you switch to an android device you will not be able to use iMessage, you should have noticed that it does not work at all when you message your android buddies... unless you are the biggest moron on earth you need to be advised about this fact...

The issue isn't about not being able to use iMessages. It's that if you didn't erase your iPhone before removing the sim/service iMessage wouldn't turn off so other folks sending you messages off an iOS device could send you plain texts.

Which Apple has been able to fix for a while, if you called them. But they are trying to reduce call volume etc for things folks can self serve thus they created this tool to do it yourself. Just like they changed up booking appointments online so you don't get that option if it's something like you forgot your gmail password cause that is not an apple issue

 

[kcirtap00]

sorry but no. This is an example of what happens when a company shear arrogance mix with intentionally refusing the fix the problem for 3 years gets them.

Chance are all the other manufactures could come after Apple for lost sales they got because customers left iOS and then could not get SMS so they blamed their phone for the issues and went back to Apple because SMS just worked.

That tool is 3 years OVER DUE. So yeah Apple should lose on this one. I would not be shocked if they get hit with an even larger lost of intentionally refusing to fix it after it was found out.

Just because its a problem that Apple didn't fix until now doesn't mean that former iPhone users are entitled to payment for any "damages". At most, this was an inconvenience and the person who filed the lawsuit clearly has nothing better going on in her life if she can put any energy into this. This is an absolutely frivolous lawsuit and if there's any justice in this country it will be thrown out and she'll be saddled with court fees.

 

[Windlasher]

Another frivolous comment to clog our already congested comment system. The commentator's life must be pretty damn empty to put forth such effort and energy. Pathetic.

Be careful. I once got a time out from MR out for making whats construed as an insulting remark to another commenter.

 

[Yumbo]

How do they NOT?

Verizon handle both your data and your cellular. Seems like Verizon could re-route an i-message to SMS because THEY are those ones who had to switch the phone service.

I'm not saying they should, but that they could. I'm sure Apple doesn't have the ability to track people who switch back and forth realtime but Verizon does.

That suggests an automated script from carrier to iMessage server, which is disallowed as user may be unaware permission wise.
Furthermore not all iMessage users have authorised or supported carriers.

 

[Gasu E.]

Looking forward to my portion of the settlement. While I happily own an iPhone 6, it was ridiculous for apple to allow this to happen. There was nothing in the iMessages welcome message that informed a user you were tied to their service. In fact, upon iPhone activation it automatically enrolls a user in iMessages. I ran into this issue and is one of several things to causes a little hate toward apple.

I'm not sure why you would think, as a new iPhone 6 user, you would be entitled to anything under this suit. Only people who switched from Apple to another vendor would qualify.

 

[t76turbo]

This is the very definition of a frivolous lawsuit. Plus, it would be very hard to prove damage in this case.

Wrong in my opinion. Someone pays for a service (text messaging) that has been hijacked by settings facilitated by Apple via the iMessage app. Not only on the person moving to non-iphone but also existing iPhone users they communicate with.

I have a friend that had to get everyone on his contact list with a iphone go through a bunch of steps to completely removed every trace of him and reset network settings on their phones in order to get messages to go through to him. Me included. He did turn iMessage off before he disconnected service from the iPhone. He also called AT&T as well as Apple. At&t said they didn't know why it wouldn't go through. And Apple told him there was no record anywhere of his number being in their system for iMessage. Even had him text 'stop' to some number supposedly removing any trace of his number from the records. But it never helped. He was one step from changing numbers but luckily everyone with an iPhone he texted was able to do all the steps necessary to get it working again. That is BS if I have ever heard it.

I am heavily invested in Apple stock. I don't want them to be sued because it could affect the stock price and therefore my money (wouldn't be a drop in the bucket for Apple. But sometimes lawsuits negatively impact sentiment on a stock. Irrational investors). But it still isn't right that someone is that negatively impacted.

My guess is Apple came out with the tool only AFTER hearing that the lawsuit will go ahead.

 

[kcirtap00]

How do they NOT?

Verizon handle both your data and your cellular. Seems like Verizon could re-route an i-message to SMS because THEY are those ones who had to switch the phone service.

I'm not saying they should, but that they could. I'm sure Apple doesn't have the ability to track people who switch back and forth realtime but Verizon does.

Verzion (or other carriers) can't intercept and reroute iMessages. They're completely secured between the user's iPhone and Apple's servers.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Meh...this lawsuit will be chump change for Apple. Also, how is the monetary punishment going to be produced. It's more of a inconvenience thing, and it's hard to put it in dollars.

Either way, I think Apple did cause some major headaches for many people who switched from an iPhone, myself included. As much as I hate for the lawyers to be the winners here, I think the lawsuit is needed to teach big corporations not to mess around with exit barriers from their ecosystem.

 

[Gasu E.]

Be careful. I once got a time out from MR out for making whats construed as an insulting remark to another commenter.

But he did not make a comment "to" another user. He clearly made a comment "about" another user. That's much less of a provocation.