A class action complaint was filed against Apple for its iOS9 feature, Wi-Fi Assist. The feature’s use of cellular data, unbeknownst to most of its users, could allegedly be costing end users an overall amount that exceeds $5 million in bills.
Apple is currently facing a $5M+ lawsuit as a result of its iOS9 Wi-Fi assist feature, designed to assist a poor Wi-Fi connection by automatically switching to cellular data. The complaint was filed in San, Jose California by plaintiffs William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips. The couple, who accuse Apple of misinforming consumers of the risk pertinent to Wi-Fi Assist’s use, are requesting reimbursement for damages.
Since the iOS9 upgrade was released, Apple has been skating on thin ice with many of its users. Apple’s nonchalance in enabling this feature by default and not informing its users of its existence has led to many users obliviously exceeding data limits and running up large bills. This has led to a large number of dissatisfied end users, including the Florida couple responsible for the class-action lawsuit filed last Friday. Apple is currently being charged for violation of the Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and negligent
misrepresentation.
Once comments and complaints were released online, Apple posted information on their website with instructions on how to disable Wi-Fi Assist and warning users that the use of cellular would be slightly higher than the previous usage with this feature activated. Unfortunately, many users had already exposed the source of the sudden increase in data usage attributing it to Apple’s undetected Wi-Fi Assist feature.
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