Intel Class Action Says CPU Security Patch Insufficient

Intel was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging the security patch it recently released is not enough to fix its CPUs vulnerabilities.

Plaintiffs Steven P. Garcia and Anthony Stachowiak allege in their class action lawsuit that nearly all of Intel’s core processors (CPUs) suffer from a security defect that exposes users’ devices.

Intel’s CPUs are used in nearly all desktop and laptop computers made since 2008 and the security defect allegedly affects nearly everyone who has a Google, Amazon, and Apple account.

The plaintiffs say that the solution to the security defect released by Intel is insufficient because it will negatively affect the performance of their laptop and desktop computers.

Both plaintiffs say they purchased computers with Intel CPU processors that suffered from the security defect. Stachowiak says that he uses his computer for gaming, requiring high-end processor performance.

They both allege that they would not have purchased or spent as much on their computers had they known about the defect and the allegedly insufficient fix that affects the performance of the device.

“In essence, Intel x86­64x CPU owners are left with the unappealing choice of either purchasing a new processor or computer containing a CPU that does not contain the defect, or continuing to use a computer with massive security vulnerabilities or one with significant performance degradation,” alleges the Intel class action lawsuit.

The plaintiffs contend that there is no “true fix” for the security defect besides buying a whole new computer. They say that Intel sold them and other consumers computers that do not meet their advertised standards.

News of the design flaw affecting Intel CPU processors broke on Nov. 21, 2017, according to the class action lawsuit; however, the flaw has existed in Intel processors since 2004. While Intel released a “patch” to resolve the flaw, the plaintiffs say that the “patch” would substantially affect the performance of the computers.

“The ‘patch’ would require root level changes to the Operating System resulting in a substantial decrease in CPU performance as much as 30-50% by some estimates,” alleges the Intel class action lawsuit.

Intel CPU processors are ubiquitous – found in computing systems for personal computers to major software services, the security defect and allegedly insufficient fix will affect many users.

“The Defect is unprecedented in scope in that it exposes millions and millions of Intel-based computers to critical security vulnerabilities and hacking and the ‘patch’ to cure these security vulnerabilities will result in substantial performance degradation,” alleges the Intel class action lawsuit.

For its part, Intel says that the fix will not affect the average user, but the plaintiffs say that Intel is aware that the fix will slow the performance of their CPU processors.

The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased Intel CPUs and who are likely to experience the security defect. They are seeking damages on behalf of themselves and the Class as well as an injunction.

The consumers are represented by William J. Doyle and Chris Cantrell of Doyle APC, and J. Gerard Stranch IV and Benjamin A. Gastel of Branstetter Stranch & Jennings PLLC.

The Intel Security Patch Class Action Lawsuit is Steven P. Garcia, et al. v. Intel Corp., Case No. 5:18-­cv-­00046, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

If you or your company were negatively affected by the Intel processor defect, including suffering damages caused by installing the Intel software patch, you may have a legal claim. See our Intel Processor class action investigation page to request a free case evaluation.