A consumer says that Apple has used software updates, including iOS 14.5, 14.5.1, and 14.6, to damage iPhone models 11, 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max in a class action lawsuit filed Tuesday.
Lead plaintiff Andrew Crittenden seeks to represent iPhone owners nationwide in a class action lawsuit filed in California federal court. Crittenden says that updates to certain iPhones have damaged their processing speeds and causes their batteries to drain faster. He accuses Apple of releasing the updates, knowing they will cause damage.
“This case is about knowing and intentional damage inflicted by Apple through software updates, including (but not limited to) to iPhone models 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max,” states the class action lawsuit.
Crittenden, a California resident, says he owns an Apple iPhone Pro Max. He says that he updated his mobile operating system, called “iOS,” as soon as the software became available. Crittenden says that Apple encourages users to update their iPhones to the latest operating system to help keep their devices secure; however, he says that after he updated his iPhone, he experienced slower performance and poor battery life.
Crittenden says that he is not alone and that within days of the Apple iPhone update being released, consumers complained of degraded performance and battery problems.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Apple knows the iOS update will result in problems for current iPhone users. In fact, the company relies on these problems, called “throttling,” in order to encourage consumers to purchase new and ever-more expensive iPhones.
The plaintiff accuses the tech giant of failing to acknowledge the problem even in the face of thousands of complaints by iPhone users who say that updates damaged their smartphones. Crittenden claims that it is in Apple’s own interest not to inform users that their devices will suffer if they download recommended updates.
Instead, claims the class action lawsuit, Apple lets users believe that poor battery life and failing performance is the natural result of an aging iPhone.
“Moreover, degrading device performance ahead of product launches may also allow Apple to drum up demand for faster phones with longer battery life. New iPhone models are typically launched every fall,” points out the complaint.
Apple has been accused of using updates to throttle older iPhones before. Several years ago, the company faced a number of throttling class action lawsuits after its iOS 11 update allegedly damaged the performance of smartphones and harmed battery life.
Crittenden wants to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who experienced problems with their iPhone 8 through the newest model after downloading iOS 14.5, iOS 14.5.1, or iOS 14.6. He accuses Apple of violating federal computer fraud laws, California consumer protection laws, and meddling with consumers’ iPhones.
The class action lawsuit wants Apple to pay damages, court, and attorney fees, as well as a court order stopping the company from releasing future harmful iOS updates.
Have you had trouble with your Apple iPhone update? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Alex R. Straus of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC.
The Apple iPhone Update Class Action Lawsuit is Crittenden v. Apple, Inc., Case No. 5:21-cv-04322 in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California San Jose Division.
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1,337 thoughts onApple Accused of Intentionally Damaging iPhones with Update in Class Action Lawsuit
I’d like to be added to this class action lawsuit against Apple. Mine and my husband’s phone keeps turning off, starts random dialing. Disconnects phone calls for no reason, Shuts down apps in the middle of using them, Siri operates for no reason without being asked. Battery drains within hours of no use age, constantly drop wifi, and lots of non-stop spam email texts now.
Yesssss! So frustrating! Please add me!
Currently have a iPhone 8s which throttles and doesn’t allow me to delete info. Once deleted it reappears. Text message denotes I have 1 but nothing is highlighted in the inbox.
Please add me
Add me
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Please add me. I have Apple iPhone 11 ver 14.6 and like the others, my phones battery doesn’t last very long like it used to. I even purchased lightning fast cables and chargers and now they don’t do anything with these constant updates by Apple. I was getting ready to look for a new upgrade for my phone by purchasing iPhone 12. I have to keep restarting my phone because it becomes unstable and gets stuck. Grrr
The IPad should be included as well. I have the 6th gen, and the latest update , 14.6, drains the battery much quicker, as well as issues wih freezing of the device
Add me‼️
I just had to take my phone to the Apple store on this past Sunday. My phone keep saying it didn’t recognize my battery The technician had to restore my phone to factory reset. She stated that there was an issue with the latest update. It was causing issues with phones. My phone would run hot and shut it self off. It would stay off for hours before it finally turned back on. When it came in it would say I didn’t have an authentic Apple battery in it. I lost all my text messages and voicemails all because of their problem. I love my iPhone but I’m getting tired of the issues.