In a landmark move, Apple is gearing up to distribute a substantial settlement amounting to a staggering $500 million to approximately 3 million users of pre-2018 iPhones.
The eagerly anticipated payouts will be granted to individuals who lodged claims against the tech giant back in 2020, marking the climax of a controversy that has come to be known as “batterygate.” This extensive compensation is a response to allegations of a practice dubbed “software throttling,” a term that refers to deliberate iOS updates designed to curtail the overall performance of iPhones with aging batteries.
The genesis of this saga traces back to the accusations leveled against Apple, which were eventually validated in court. The company was found guilty of deploying software updates that intentionally slowed down the operational speed of iPhones equipped with older batteries. This orchestrated slowing down of device performance led to considerable backlash from users who felt their devices were being systematically hindered by Apple’s actions. The public furor that ensued prompted a wave of legal action against the tech behemoth.
Apple’s assertion in their defense carried a dual purpose – an attempt to exonerate themselves from accusations of deceit and an explanation of their motives behind the controversial iOS updates. According to Apple, the “throttling” was not conceived as a tactic to mislead customers but rather as a strategic maneuver to extend the longevity of their products. They contended that these software updates were intended to prevent sudden shutdowns and unexpected issues that arise due to the natural degradation of batteries over time.
The settlement announcement comes as a culmination of a legal tussle that saw users who owned iPhones such as the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE devices running on iOS 10.2.1 or later versions being affected by the “batterygate” controversy. With millions of users who filed claims and stood as aggrieved parties, the settlement acts as a significant step towards rectifying the issue and appeasing disgruntled customers.
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