The long-running legal battle over Apple‘s controversial throttling of older iPhones has taken another turn, this time in Canada. A class-action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of secretly slowing down the performance of some of its iPhones has now reached a significant milestone, with affected users in several Canadian provinces eligible to claim compensation.
The “batterygate” saga dates back to 2018 when Apple faced multiple lawsuits across various jurisdictions, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. The crux of the matter was Apple’s admission that it had implemented a power management system in iOS 10.2.1, which throttled the maximum performance of certain iPhone models with “chemically aged” batteries. This measure was intended to prevent unexpected shutdowns, but Apple failed to disclose the change in the update’s release notes, sparking widespread outrage among customers.
After initially apologizing and offering discounted battery replacements for a limited period, Apple has now agreed to a settlement in the Canadian class-action suit. According to a report by Joe Rossignol at MacRumors, the settlement, approved by a court in British Columbia on March 4, will see Apple pay up to $14.4 million (Canadian dollars) to eligible claimants.
The settlement terms stipulate that each affected customer who submits a claim will receive a payout ranging from $17.50 to $150 (Canadian dollars), depending on the total number of claims submitted. While Apple denied the allegations and maintained that “the settlement does not represent an admission of fault,” the company likely chose to settle to avoid further legal battles and associated costs.
So, who qualifies for this payout, and how can they go about claiming it? According to the report, “To be eligible, you must be a current or former resident of Canada (excluding Québec) who owns or owned an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and/or iPhone SE with iOS 10.2.1 or later installed or downloaded, and/or an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus with iOS 11.2 or later installed or downloaded, before December 21, 2017.”
The claim form is available online, and eligible individuals can submit their claims to potentially receive their share of the settlement.
This is not the first time Apple has faced legal repercussions over the batterygate issue. In the United States, a similar lawsuit resulted in a settlement of up to $500 million, with payments beginning in January of this year. While lawsuits are undoubtedly a headache for any company, Apple likely recognizes that settling is often a more prudent approach than prolonged legal battles.
In the aftermath of the throttling controversy, Apple has taken steps to improve transparency and provide clearer explanations about battery degradation over time. The company’s latest software updates include detailed information about battery lifespan, with similar features expected to be rolled out for iPads in the coming weeks.
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