/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5fb58be8dcbafac1680989d5/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=3930&cropY1=149&cropY2=2360&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Apple Settles ‘Batterygate’ Lawsuit For 3 Million")
Topline
Apple will pay $113 million in a settlement with 34 state attorneys general over allegations it secretly slowed down older iPhones to preserve battery performance, resolving the “Batterygate” scandal that forced Apple to issue a rare apology in 2017.
A Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 file photo of a customer setting up his new iPhone 7 Plus, right, as he … [+]
AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File
Key Facts
The lawsuit alleged Apple in 2016 discovered battery issues were causing iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 models to unexpectedly shut down, and instead of disclosing the problem to customers, the tech giant throttled performance to reduce battery consumption.
The states accused Apple of profiting off the slowdowns because people bought newer, more expensive iPhones when they actually just needed a new battery.
Apple has denied its throttling of older phones was a ploy to sell newer ones, and has maintained the practice was only to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
The practice was first revealed in 2017, Apple apologized and offered customers a discount on battery replacements.
Apple did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, but agreed to “provide truthful information to consumers about iPhone battery health, performance, and power management,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in a statement.
Apple earlier this year already agreed to pay $500 million in a separate Batterygate class action lawsuit awarding $25 to affected iPhone owners.
Crucial Quote
“Big Tech companies must stop manipulating consumers and tell them the whole truth about their practices and products,” Brnovich said. “I’m committed to holding these goliath technology companies accountable when they conceal important information from users.”
Key Background
Batterygate isn’t the only recent scandal involving Apple’s expensive hardware. In 2019, the company admitted there were issues with MacBook laptop keyboards and apologized. “We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry,” Apple said at the time. Users complained about keys repeating unexpectedly or not working due to dust or other debris blocking the butterfly switches. In response, Apple created a repair program that offers free repairs to affected laptops.
/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5fb58be8dcbafac1680989d5/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=3930&cropY1=149&cropY2=2360&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=Apple+Settles+%E2%80%98Batterygate%E2%80%99+Lawsuit+For+%24113+Million){kind=link}