Apple class actions target products, business practices

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Apple class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Apple has been involved in several recent class action lawsuits and settlements.
• Why: Complaints and settlements involving Apple have revolved around allegations of a defective product, anti-competitive practices and an iOS update, among other things. 
• Where: Apple has been targeted with class action lawsuits by consumers nationwide.

Apple’s products and services are widely used by American consumers; however, the multinational technology company is no stranger to being on the receiving end of class action lawsuits. 

Class action lawsuits and settlements involving Apple have been in the headlines recently over a product defect allegation, anti-competitive practice claim and an iOs update complaint, among other things. 

Apple accused of monopolizing mobile wallet market with Apple Pay

Apple faced claims earlier this month that it allegedly monopolized the market for mobile wallets by blocking competitors from being able to enter the space. 

The company was also accused of using the alleged monopoly it has created to impose heavy fees on payment card issuers using its mobile wallet service, Apple Pay. 

Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet option for Apple iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users, according to the class action lawsuit, which notes Android users have several mobile wallets — such as Google Pay and Samsung Pay — to choose from. 

“Apple propped up Apple Pay by requiring iOS users to use its Apple Pay service exclusively for tap and pay mobile wallet transactions, barring all would-be and free competitors from accessing the NFC (Near Field Communication) interface needed to compete,” the Apple class action states. 

Judge gives green light to claims Apple misled consumers about iPhone 6 battery safety

Last month, meanwhile, a federal judge in Texas declined to dismiss a class action lawsuit accusing Apple of tricking customers into believing the batteries for its iPhone 6 devices were safe.

A consumer who claims to have sustained lasting injuries to his eyes and wrist argues the iPhone 6 are, in reality, capable of exploding and causing serious wounds. 

The judge overseeing the complaint previously dismissed the class claims in October but later allowed it to continue after an amended version of the complaint was submitted in January. 

Judge trims claims Apple benefits from iTunes gift card

Also last month, part of a class action lawsuit claiming Apple benefits from and refuses to stop scammers from using its iTunes gift cards to steal from consumers was dismissed by a federal judge in California. 

Consumers behind the class action lawsuit argue Apple does not attempt to prevent the scammers from using iTunes gift cards to defraud consumers because it gets a 30% commission from each transaction. 

The judge, meanwhile, determined Apple had not actively helped scammers steal from consumers and that the plaintiff failed to plead the company had helped or encouraged them in a substantial way. 

Apple must still face several claims, however, that it withheld stolen property from consumers by refusing to refund them for fraud involving an iTunes gift card. 

Apple agrees to pay $50 million to end claims it sold MacBook laptops with defective ‘butterfly’ keyboards

Apple also agreed to two class action settlements this month. 

First, the company agreed to pay $50 million to resolve claims it knowingly sold MacBook laptops with defective “butterfly keyboards.” 

Apple MacBook buyers claimed in a 2018 complaint that they were sold laptops with defective butterfly keyboards that were prone to failing and expensive to fix. 

The buyers, who argued it would cost between $400 and $700 to fix a broken MacBook butterfly keyboard, were eligible to receive $300 in compensation in the event they had to purchase multiple replacement keyboards. 

Eligible class members who only had to purchase one replacement keyboard are eligible to receive $100 in compensation under the proposed class action settlement. 

Apple ends claims iOS 9 update slowed down iPhone 4S devices with $20 million settlement 

Apple also agreed this month to pay $20 million to put an end to allegations its iOS 9 update significantly slowed down iPhone 4S devices. 

A group of iPhone 4S owners accused Apple of falsely representing the iOS9 update, which they argued ended up causing their devices to suffer from a substantial decline in their performance. 

Eligible class members will be able to receive as much as $150 in compensation from the class action settlement. 

Apple pays Brazil consumer $1,000 after not including power adapter with new iPhone

In April, Apple was ordered by a judge in Brazil to pay a consumer around $1,000 after he accused the company of failing to provide him with a power adapter with the purchase of his new iPhone. 

It is unlikely that a similar judgment could occur in the US, since Apple must only disclose the product does not contain a power adapter to avoid being out of compliance with consumer protection laws.

Have you had an issue with the screen on an Apple Watch purchased in the last seven years? You may qualify to join a free Apple Watch design flaw lawsuit investigation. 

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