The Competition Appeal Tribunal in the UK has rejected Apple's bid to halt a class action lawsuit accusing the tech giant of deliberately diminishing the performance of older iPhones in a ploy to encourage customers to purchase newer models.
Last year, consumer rights advocate Justin Gutmann filed the lawsuit, contending that Apple had installed inadequate batteries in several iPhone models, including the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, and 7 Plus. These batteries, according to the suit, were unable to keep pace with the devices' processors and operating systems. Apple had previously sought to block the lawsuit in May, dismissing the allegations as groundless.
The company also refuted claims regarding battery issues, apart from acknowledging some problems with iPhone 6S models. An Apple spokesperson emphasized their commitment to not intentionally shortening the life of any Apple product or compromising the user experience to drive upgrades. They stated that Apple's goal had always been to create products that customers cherish, with an essential component being to extend the lifespan of iPhones.
Gutmann filed this lawsuit in the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London on behalf of potentially 25 million UK iPhone users who utilized ten different iPhone models. The lawsuit argued that Apple had "misled" iPhone users by discreetly limiting the performance of affected devices through a power management software update.
In 2020, Apple reached an agreement to pay up to $500 million in the US to settle multiple lawsuits accusing the company of slowing down certain older iPhone models with software updates. Although Apple denied any wrongdoing, they acknowledged the need for better communication with users and provided reduced-price iPhone battery replacements as a form of apology.
(With Agency Inputs)
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