Tech class action lawsuits allege product defects, misleading advertising

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Tech class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers filed several class action lawsuits aimed at tech companies during December against Apple, Samsung, Google and Belkin. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits claims included false advertising and product defects, among other things. 
• Where: The class action lawsuits affect consumers nationwide. 

Consumers took aim at a number of tech companies in December, lobbing class action lawsuits accusing them of selling defective and dangerous devices, among other things. 

For example, a consumer hit Apple with a class action lawsuit last month arguing the company misrepresented the blood oxygen reading ability of its Apple Watch devices when used by people of color. 

The consumer behind the complaint claims Apple falsely advertises that its Apple Watch can accurately detect an individual’s blood oxygen levels right from their wrist, arguing it is biased against people of color. 

“Though one recent study concluded the (Apple Watch) was able to detect reduced blood oxygen saturation in comparison to medical-grade pulse oximeters this fails to recognize the failings of pulse oximetry in general with respect to persons of color,” the Apple class action states. 

Apple accused of ignoring experts before releasing AirTag device

Consumers hit Apple with a separate class action lawsuit last month filed by a pair of consumers arguing abusers and stalkers can use the company’s AirTag devices to track their victims. 

The consumers argue Apple puts consumers at risk by releasing its AirTags to the public, and that the company ignored advocates and technologists who urged the company not to release the devices. 

Instead of listening to the advocates, Apple allegedly “heedlessly forged ahead, dismissing concerns and pointing to mitigation features that it claimed rendered the devices ‘stalker proof,’” according to the Apple class action. 

Samsung class action claims company exaggerated the durability of its Z Fold 3 phones

Also last month, a consumer accused Samsung of selling Z Fold 3 phones that allegedly contain a defect that causes their fold function to not be as durable as device purchasers expected. 

The consumer behind the class action lawsuit argues the Samsung Z Fold 3 phones do not live up to their promised durability and are “highly susceptible to screen damage.” 

Samsung allegedly falsely advertises that users can fold and unfold the phones more than 200,000 times, an amount the company allegedly says would take a phone user five years to do. 

Google Fitbit smartwatch users forced to arbitrate overheating, burning claims 

Meanwhile, a federal judge ruled last month that Google Fitbit smartwatch users, who argue the devices burned their skin, would have to arbitrate their claims against the tech giant. 

The judge determined that an arbitration provision included by Google in its terms of service was “reasonably conspicuous.” 

Google Fitbit smartwatch users had argued that Google violated both state and federal laws by allegedly knowingly selling the watches with an alleged defect that causes them to overheat and burn those wearing them. 

“Reasonable consumers, like Plaintiffs, purchase the Products to burn calories – not their skin – and to safely pursue a healthy lifestyle with the aid of a smartwatch,” the Google class action states. 

Belkin accused of exaggerating the amount of power its portable device chargers can produce

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Belkin last month, arguing the consumer electronics company exaggerated the amount of “juice” its power bank chargers actually contain. 

“The capacity of Belkin’s power banks is significantly lower than represented to consumers,” the Belkin class action states. 

The consumer behind the complaint argues Belkin intentionally misleads consumers about the amount of power its chargers can produce in an alleged violation of state consumer laws, among other things. 

Apple wrong to sell new iPhones without chargers, class action says

A separate class action lawsuit against Apple claims the company misleads consumers by no longer including a charger with the purchase of a new iPhone device. 

The consumer behind the class action lawsuit claims Apple does not adequately disclose to consumers that they will not receive a charger with the purchase of a new iPhone, forcing some to make an additional purchase. 

“When Defendant removed the charger, not only was the price of the Product not correspondingly reduced by the amount of the power adapter, the price increased, unrelated to other added functionality which could justify this increase,” the Apple class action states. 

Apple allegedly justified not including a charger by stating that it is for environmental reasons; however, the consumer argues the company could have “taken other measures to promote environmental sustainability.” 

Have you felt like you were being misled by a tech company? Let us know in the comments! 

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