Apple users will soon receive a cash payout as part of a settlement for a class-action lawsuit filed in 2018. The lawsuit accused Apple of deliberately slowing down iPhones to push consumers to buy newer models. In March 2020, Apple agreed to pay up to $500 million to resolve the case, and now affected iPhone owners will finally receive their portion of the settlement.
Initially, two iPhone owners filed an appeal against some terms of the settlement, but their appeal was recently denied by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. This means that the settlement can proceed as planned, providing compensation to impacted Apple users.
Apple admitted to purposely slowing down the iOS software on older iPhones but argued that it was done to prevent battery issues rather than to force customers to upgrade. However, this explanation did not satisfy the plaintiffs, and the lawsuit gained traction, leading to investigations by multiple states. California was one of those states and ultimately reached a separate settlement with Apple for $113 million.
The settlement covers several iPhone models running on specific operating systems before December 21, 2017. If you believe you are eligible for a payout, please visit the settlement website for more information, although it is worth noting that payouts are no longer available.
Despite these developments, Apple has chosen not to comment on the settlement or the recent denial of the appeal. It remains to be seen how this legal battle and the resulting payouts will impact Apple’s reputation and relationship with its customers. However, for affected iPhone users, the settlement brings some resolution and compensation for their grievances.
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