The plaintiffs contend that an Apple software tweak that slows down older iPhones was a ploy to spur upgrades to pricier models.
Apple disclosed Wednesday that it updated the software of older iPhones to slow them down when the battery can’t keep up with the phone’s computer.
A lawsuit against Apple filed late Thursday says a software tweak that slows some older iPhones to counteract problems found in aging batteries is a fraud designed to spur upgrades to the latest model, according to the lawyer who filed it.
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Thursday’s suit represents five people who claim the company purposefully updated the phones ‘ operating system to slow its performance as a way to fraudulently force iPhone owners to purchase the latest model, according to a release from attorney James Vlahakis. The suit’s plaintiffs allege this fraud applies to updates to the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and certain iPhone 7 phones.
In the past, Apple has routinely said it doesn’t purposely slow phones to encourage customers to replace them. Apple said in a statement earlier this week that the goal of the battery-related slowing was «to deliver the best experience for customers.»
