Controversies

Apple and Amazon face revived UK consumer lawsuit over product sales

Lawsuit filed

In September 2026, Reuters reported that Apple and Amazon were facing a revived consumer lawsuit in the United Kingdom concerning product sales. According to the report, the lawsuit was revived and related to product sales. The event was identified as Apple and Amazon facing a revived UK consumer lawsuit over product sales. The report was dated September 28, 2026, and the source was Reuters. The available summary does not provide additional information about the specific claims, the court, the claimants, or any outcome. It states only that the revived lawsuit concerns product sales and involves Apple and Amazon in the UK. This note records the controversy as reported, without further allegations or determinations.

Reuters reported that Apple and Amazon are facing a revived UK consumer lawsuit concerning product sales.

US jury rules Apple owes record $5.7 billion in patent case against San Diego company

Ruling

A US jury ruled that Apple owes a record $5.7 billion in a patent case against a San Diego company. The event was reported on September 27, 2026. The ruling concerns a patent dispute between Apple and the San Diego company, with the jury finding that Apple must pay the stated amount.

Privacy backlash against Apple Watch always-listening features

Public backlash

The newly announced Apple Watch listening features drew immediate privacy backlash: experts warned of legal risks in nonpublic spaces and in states where eavesdropping laws require both parties to consent to being recorded, and many criticized the technology as creepy. Apple responded by publishing a page of technical details asserting the features do not spy on users.

Apple acknowledges App Store regulatory changes weigh on services business

Issue disclosure

Apple for the first time explicitly acknowledged that global regulatory and court rulings forcing it to loosen App Store payment restrictions have affected its services business. In a regulatory filing, the company warned that transactions through alternative payment channels may not generate commissions.

Former Apple worker sues Apple alleging race and national origin discrimination and retaliation

Lawsuit filed

A former Apple worker, a Mexico-born Latino man, sued Apple Inc. on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Indiana, alleging race and national origin discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The complaint alleges he reported racist comments to HR, was assured of no retaliation, and then had his bonus eliminated, Restricted Stock Units cut, title downgraded, and was placed on a performance plan before resigning effective July 14, 2026, alleging constructive discharge. None of the allegations have been tested in court.

Apple sends spyware threat notifications to users in 110 countries

Issue disclosure

Apple sent a new round of threat notifications to users in 110 countries and regions, warning that their iPhone, iPad or Mac devices may be targets of government-grade spyware attacks. Apple said the total number of countries and regions that have received such alerts now exceeds 150, and it updated its support documentation and user experience, including lock-screen push notifications, emails and account-login warnings, advising users to enable Lockdown Mode.

OpenAI sues Apple, alleging an Apple employee stole trade secrets on unreleased hardware projects

Lawsuit filed

OpenAI filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging that an unnamed employee who had worked at OpenAI for six months returned to Apple with more than 100 stolen files related to OpenAI's hardware projects and presented them to Apple executives, and that the trade secret theft relates to Apple's newly announced HomeView hub. The suit follows Apple's July lawsuit against OpenAI alleging two former Apple employees stole proprietary IP. Apple denies that the presentation happened and says there is no evidence of the stolen files on its servers. The case could go to trial as early as June, or possibly October, next year.

Apple supplier Tata Electronics hit by cyber incident exposing over 630GB of confidential files

Hazard disclosure

In June, Tata Electronics, Apple's core contract manufacturer in India, suffered a cybersecurity incident in which more than 200,000 confidential files totaling over 630GB were posted to the dark web. The exposed material included motherboard blueprints, chip parameters, component procurement floor prices, and real-device test videos. The incident was described as Apple's most severe leak to date, and the Indian government subsequently intervened to investigate.

In June, Apple's core contract manufacturer in India, Tata Electronics, suffered a cybersecurity incident in which more than 200,000 confidential files totaling over 630GB were posted to the dark web, exposing motherboard blueprints, chip parameters, component procurement floor prices and real-device test videos; the incident was described as Apple's most severe leak to date and India's government subsequently intervened to investigate.

Apple agrees to $250 million Siri-related class-action settlement

Settlement

Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit. The plaintiffs alleged that Apple's marketing created expectations about AI-powered Siri features that were unavailable when consumers bought their devices. Apple did not admit wrongdoing, and the agreement remained subject to judge approval.

eMudhra cryptographic flaw disclosed

Issue disclosure

A security researcher identified weaknesses in private keys associated with eight intermediate Certificate Authorities used by eMudhra's global TLS business. eMudhra acknowledged human errors in the key-generation process, while saying its infrastructure had not been compromised and no data was breached.

Court expands Apple’s access to evidence in trade secrets lawsuit

Ruling

In a trade secrets lawsuit, Judge Edward Davila granted several of Apple’s previously deferred discovery requests, expanding the company’s access to records and testimony. The expanded discovery concerns former employees’ handling of confidential Apple information and OpenAI’s recruitment and hardware development practices. The ruling allows Apple broader access to evidence in the case; no further outcomes or allegations are specified in the source.

South Korea orders Apple and Google to change app market practices

Ban or restriction

In 2026, South Korea's media and telecommunications regulator ordered Apple and Google to change their app market practices in the country. According to the reported order, the two companies were directed to let South Korean developers use external payment links within their apps and to improve their app review procedures. The event was reported as a regulatory action by South Korea's media and telecommunications regulator concerning app market practices. The source report also referred to the companies being fined by the South Korean agency for unfair app market practices.

South Korea’s media and telecommunications regulator ordered Apple and Google to let South Korean developers use external payment links within their apps and to improve app review procedures.

Apple acknowledges iPhone Duo screen damage issue

Hazard disclosure

Apple acknowledged an issue affecting a small number of iPhone Duo units after reports that some inner screens had broken, and said it was replacing damaged units. The article reports no recall. The acknowledgment followed reports of broken inner screens on some units. Apple characterized the affected units as a small number and stated that it was replacing damaged devices. No recall of the product was reported.

Apple responds to concerns about iPhone Duo hardware differences

Company response

Apple technical staff responded to questions about differences between the mainland China and U.S. versions of iPhone Duo. According to the response, products undergo factory testing before leaving the factory, and the mainland version does not have inferior materials or hardware quality. The staff also said that some features require approval from domestic authorities before they can be enabled in mainland China. The response addressed concerns about hardware differences between the two versions.

Dutch regulator fines Apple over dating-app payment conditions

Fine or penalty

In 2022, the Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets fined Apple an additional 5 million euros for failing to comply with its order concerning dating-app providers. The regulator stated that Apple's revised conditions for using alternative payment systems were unreasonable and created an unnecessary barrier. The fine was imposed because Apple had not met the requirements of the order. The regulator's assessment focused on the revised conditions governing alternative payment systems for dating apps.

The Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets fined Apple another 5 million euros for failing to comply with its order on dating-app providers. The regulator said Apple’s revised conditions for using alternative payment systems were unreasonable and created an unnecessary barrier.

Apple sued over iPad mini 6 display issue

Lawsuit filed

A Colorado resident filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging that the iPad mini 6 is defective due to a display issue described as "jelly scrolling," and claiming that Apple misled consumers. The suit seeks damages on behalf of U.S. purchasers. These are allegations in the lawsuit.

A Colorado resident sued Apple, alleging that the iPad mini 6 is defective because of a display issue described as “jelly scrolling,” and claiming Apple misled consumers. The suit seeks damages on behalf of U.S. purchasers; these are allegations in the lawsuit.

Dutch regulator fines Apple over dating-app payment requirements

Fine or penalty

In February 2022, the Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets fined Apple five million euros, stating that the company had allegedly failed to satisfy requirements concerning alternative payment systems for dating apps. The regulator said it would continue imposing weekly fines until Apple came into compliance. The event concerns a regulatory dispute over payment options available to dating-app developers in the Dutch market.

Apple sues director of the Apple-Man film over its title

Lawsuit filed

Apple filed a lawsuit against the director of the indie film Apple-Man, opposing the trademark registration application for the film's title. According to the report, Apple argued that consumers might believe the film was associated with or approved by Apple.

Apple releases Personal User Safety Guide

Company response

In January 2022, Apple released a Personal User Safety Guide amid concerns about misuse of AirTags to track people. The guide offers support and instructions for people concerned about or experiencing technology-enabled abuse, stalking, or harassment. The release was reported by BBC News.

Stated objective. The guide offers advice on how people can keep themselves and their data safe.

Dutch regulator fines Apple €5 million over app payment rules

Fine or penalty

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets fined Apple €5 million, stating that Apple had failed to adjust conditions that prevented dating-app providers from freely choosing third-party payment systems. According to the regulator, Apple could face further weekly fines if it did not make the required changes. The fine concerned app payment rules and the ability of dating-app providers to select third-party payment systems.