Apple Reportedly in Legal Hot Waters As UK Lawsuit Claims iPhones Were Intentionally Slowed Down To Cover Defective Batteries

Highlights

• Justin Gutmann files lawsuit in the UK alleging Apple “throttled” iPhones with software updates.
• Lawsuit represents over 20 million iPhone users in the UK.
• Apple denies the claims, stating they wouldn’t degrade product lifespan or user experience.
• Previous similar lawsuit in the US settled in 2020, with Apple not admitting fault.

Apple finds itself amidst legal challenges in the UK, as allegations arise over the company’s treatment of iPhone batteries.

The core of the dispute centers on claims that Apple deliberately slowed down iPhones via software updates, a move speculated to cover up issues with faulty batteries.

Justin Gutmann, an employee at a consumer welfare and market research firm, spearheaded the lawsuit against Apple in the UK.

Gutmann’s primary contention is that a specific software update, impacting models like the iPhone 6 series, SE, and 7 series, degraded the performance of these devices.

Such an act, as per the lawsuit, misleads customers—making them believe they’re getting a certain product quality, while the reality might be different.

Putting the enormity of the situation into perspective, this case seeks to be the voice for over 20 million iPhone users in the UK.

The U.K.’s Competition Appeals Tribunal, an institution dedicated to cases centered on competition and regulatory matters, is presently overseeing the matter.

Apple, for its part, has categorically denied these allegations.

A representative of the tech giant articulated the company’s stance to Forbes, emphasizing that Apple would never consciously act to diminish its product lifespan or degrade user experience to push consumers towards newer models.

While this lawsuit, initiated in 2022, has painted Apple’s practices in the UK as “exploitative and unfair”, it’s worth noting that it’s not an isolated event.

Apple found itself in a similar situation in the US in 2020.

A class-action lawsuit echoed the same sentiments, accusing the company of intentionally limiting the performance of select iPhone models to counteract battery-related issues.

FAQs

What is the main contention of the lawsuit against Apple in the UK?

The lawsuit alleges that Apple intentionally slowed down certain iPhone models using software updates to mask issues with faulty batteries.

Who is the key person behind the UK lawsuit?

Justin Gutmann, who is associated with a consumer welfare and market research firm, has spearheaded the lawsuit against Apple.

How many iPhone users does this lawsuit seek to represent?

The case aims to be the voice for more than 20 million iPhone users across the UK.

Has Apple faced similar legal challenges before?

Yes, in 2020, Apple settled a US class-action lawsuit that raised similar claims about suppressing iPhone performance, though the company never admitted to any wrongdoing.

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