Apple iPhone 'Batterygate' Throttling Consumer Class Action Settlement

Apple Inc. faced a massive consumer fraud class action after the company admitted in December 2017 that it had been deliberately slowing down the performance of older iPhone models—including the iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and SE—through iOS software updates, without informing customers. Apple claimed the throttling was necessary to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging lithium-ion batteries, but plaintiffs alleged the company concealed this practice to conceal battery defects, shorten the perceived useful life of older devices, and drive consumers toward purchasing newer, more expensive iPhone models. The case consolidated over 60 lawsuits filed across the country in a multidistrict litigation proceeding in San Jose, California.

In March 2020, Apple agreed to a settlement of up to $500 million, with individual iPhone owners eligible to receive approximately $25 per device (subject to the total claims filed). The settlement covered U.S. owners of iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE models running iOS 10.2.1 or later, or iPhone 7/7 Plus running iOS 11.2 or later, who experienced performance slowdowns. The claims deadline passed in October 2020. The 'Batterygate' scandal drew global regulatory scrutiny—Apple was fined €25 million in France and €10 million in Italy for the same conduct—and prompted Apple to introduce a battery health transparency feature and a discounted battery replacement program in subsequent iOS updates.