France fines Apple €25 million for slowing older iPhone models
Apple has been hit with a €25 million fine by the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and the Suppression of Fraud (DGCCRF) in France for intentionally slowing older iPhone models with software updates.
The report concluded that Apple had failed to inform users that iOS 10.2.1 and iOS 11.2 were likely to slow down devices, with Apple now required to publish a press release on its website for one month advising of the fine in addition to paying the sum.
The DGCCRF says Apple has agreed to pay the fine in the context of a criminal transaction.
“Following an investigation by the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and the Suppression of Fraud (DGCCRF) and after the agreement of the Public Prosecutor of Paris, the Apple group agreed to pay a fine of 25 M € in the context of a criminal transaction.
Seized on January 5, 2018 by the Paris Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the complaint of an association against Apple, the DGCCRF has shown that iPhone owners were not informed that the updates of the iOS operating system (10.2.1 and 11.2) they installed were likely to slow down the operation of their device.
These updates, released during 2017, included a dynamic power management device which, under certain conditions and especially when the batteries were old, could slow down the functioning of the iPhone 6, SE models. and 7.”
The news comes after a large backlash in when Apple made the announcement that it deliberately slowed older iPhones with ageing batteries to prevent performance issues.
A reduced price out-of-warranty replacement service was offered to customers wishing to change their battery however, supplies of battery replacements quickly depleted, leaving many waiting weeks until the company was able to service their device.