Apple Facing U.S. Government Probe Over Slowing Down Old iPhones

Apple released a software update about a year ago that essentially throttled the processors of old iPhones with chemically degraded batteries. The company acknowledged this following reports that it was intentionally slowing down old iPhones. While many believed it was doing this to get people to upgrade, Apple offered an entirely different explanation. Despite an apology and an olive branch, the company is facing investigations in many countries over this and now one has been launched at home in the United States.

Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether or not Apple broke securities laws concerning its disclosures about a software update that slowed older iPhones.

The probe is said to be private so it hasn’t been officially confirmed by both the DOJ and SEC. These government bodies have requested information from Apple and the inquiry is in early stages so it’s unclear if any enforcement will follow.

Apple has already apologized for not communicating that a software update was slowing down old iPhones with degraded batteries to prevent unexpected shutdowns. It’s now offering $29 battery replacements for out of warranty devices. Apple has also confirmed that it will give users the ability to opt-out of this functionality with the next iOS update.

Despite that, the company is facing multiple lawsuits in the United States as well as investigations in a handful of other countries, particularly in countries where this behavior a.k.a planned obsolescence is illegal.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: iPhone