Apple will pay up $500 million ($1,136,150,000.00 FJD) to iPhone users to settle a lawsuit from years ago that claimed the company purposefully slowed down its customers’ batteries.
The so-called “batterygate” scam, which compelled customers to purchase new iPhone models, was dubbed “one of the largest consumer frauds in history.”
Apple still maintains its denial of any wrongdoing, but has agreed to the reimbursement in 2020, which will amount to about $65 per customer.
However, payments were put on hold because two iPhone users objected to the settlement’s terms.
In order to stop older iPhones from shutting down unexpectedly due to declining battery life, Apple acknowledged that iOS software had been modified in December 2017.
Due to complaints that Apple was secretly pressuring customers to purchase phones sooner than necessary, the company had to update its software and provide significant discounts on battery replacements.
Apple was required to give the claims administrator the information on each person who had purchased or rented one of the models as part of the agreement. Concerns raised by users were related to the fact that their phones would turn off even when the batteries were more than 30% charged.
According to Tyson Redenbarger, a lawyer who represented the clients in the lawsuit, there were almost 3 million claims submitted. It implies that the typical payout will be $65 ($147.70 FJD) .