The British Columbia Supreme Court has given the green light to a $14.4 million settlement in a nationwide class-action lawsuit against Apple over allegations of slowing down older iPhone models through software updates.
K.S. Garcha, a lawyer representing the class, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as the culmination of a complex legal process. The settlement, approved by the judge during a hearing on Tuesday, will provide compensation to eligible class members ranging from $17.50 to $150, depending on the number of claims filed.
The settlement encompasses residents across Canada, excluding Quebec, totaling approximately nine million individuals. Despite Apple’s vigorous defense throughout the legal proceedings, the company opted for a compromise without admitting any wrongdoing, avoiding a potentially lengthy trial process.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2018, raised legal questions about Apple’s deployment of software updates on devices without user consent. To qualify for compensation, class members must submit claims within six months, providing details such as their name, address, iPhone serial number, and confirmation of experiencing diminished performance after specific iOS updates.
While Apple has emphasized its stance of non-admission to any wrongdoing, the settlement agreement will see the company pay out between $11,137,500 and $14,427,500, depending on the volume of approved claims.
Notably, Quebec residents are excluded from the settlement due to an ongoing separate legal proceeding in the province. A similar case in the United States resulted in Apple settling for US$92 per class member, shedding light on the magnitude of the issue.
Apple’s lawyer reiterated the company’s position of non-culpability during the recent court hearing, emphasizing the novelty of the claims and Apple’s steadfast denial of any wrongful conduct.
As the settlement receives court approval, it marks a significant milestone in addressing consumer grievances related to iPhone performance issues. Despite Apple’s denial of wrongdoing, the resolution provides compensation and closure for affected class members, concluding a protracted legal battle.
