Apple Says It Slows Down Older iPhones; Gets Sued

Apple’s acknowledgment that it slows down older versions of its iPhone has prompted a lawsuit against the Cupertino, California company.

According to a report in CNBC citing a court filing, shortly after Apple said it has an algorithm in place that slows down older iPhones to ensure they can run longer, Stefan Bogdanovich and Dakota Speas brought a class-action lawsuit against the company in California, where the two plaintiffs live.

In the lawsuit, the two claimed Apple never got their consent to slow down their iPhone, with both owning an iPhone 7. The two claim they then faced interference in usage of their smartphones because of the intentional slowdowns. Both are also claiming damages in the lawsuit, contending that the slowdowns hurt them economically and that they are entitled to compensation from Apple. The two are seeking class-action status in the lawsuit, which would cover all the people in the U.S. who own an iPhone that is older than the iPhone 8.

Earlier in the week, Apple told CNBC: “Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices. Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components.”

The lawsuit comes at a time when Apple is enjoying brisk sales of its latest iPhones. The iPhone X, which sells for $999 and up, has seen strong demand this holiday season, boosting the company’s stock price and its fortunes. Apple has also just inked a deal to acquire Shazam, in an effort to boost its music subscription business.