Apple has agreed to pay $113 million (around £85 million) to settle allegations in the USA that it deliberately slowed down older iPhones.
A software update in 2016 slowed processor speeds on the Apple iPhone 6, iPhone 7 and iPhone SE models. The issue became known as ‘batterygate’ after it was revealed by researchers.
A number of American states claimed that Apple’s software update was a deliberate ploy to drive the sales of new devices, saying the action should have been disclosed at the time. However, the company does not admit breaking any laws and has previously insisted the slow-down was
implemented to preserve battery life.
This payment is in addition to the
draft ‘class action’ settlement reached in May, which could see between $310 million and $500 million paid to American iPhone users – potentially around $25 each – and a €25 million (around £22 million) fine from the
French competition watchdog in February.
[More details:
BBC News]