Controversies

Court orders Apple to pay trade-in value

Ruling

A court ruled that Apple had a trade-in contract with Mr. Xia and ordered Apple to pay him the promised 4,200 yuan after he returned his computer. The court found the available evidence insufficient to show the computer had a quality problem when it was handed over.

Class-action lawsuit alleges M1 MacBook display defect

Lawsuit filed

A class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple in California alleging that the displays in the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 and the MacBook Air with M1 have a defect that can cause cracking and other display problems. The suit further alleges that Apple concealed the defect or engaged in deceptive marketing. These are allegations made in the lawsuit and not a court determination. The filing concerns the M1 models identified in the complaint and centers on the claimed display issue and Apple's alleged conduct regarding it.

Taiwan consumer group criticizes Apple's iPhone accessory policy

Public backlash

In 2021, Taiwan's Consumers' Foundation criticized Apple's policy of no longer including a power adapter and wired earphones with new iPhones. The foundation argued that the policy harms consumer interests and may amount to an indirect price increase. It urged Apple to reconsider the policy and to offer accessory options that protect consumer rights.

Court issues ruling in Epic–Apple case

Ruling

A US federal judge issued a ruling in the Epic–Apple case. According to the report, Epic prevailed on one of ten claims under California's Unfair Competition Law, resulting in a permanent injunction barring Apple from prohibiting developers from directing users to alternative payment options. The judge rejected Epic's other claims and found that Epic had breached its contract with Apple.

A US federal judge ruled in the Epic–Apple case. The article reports that Epic prevailed on one of ten claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law, resulting in a permanent injunction barring Apple from prohibiting developers from directing users to alternative payment options; the judge rejected Epic’s other claims and found Epic had breached its contract with Apple.

Apple delays planned child safety features for further review

Company response

Apple stated that it would take additional time to collect feedback and improve its planned child safety features before releasing them. The company's decision followed feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers, and others. The announcement indicated a delay in the rollout of the features to allow for further review and refinement based on the input received.

Apple said it would take more time to collect feedback and improve planned child safety features before releasing them, following feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers and others.

Judge allows Siri privacy claims to proceed

Ruling

In a legal proceeding concerning Apple's Siri voice assistant, Judge White found that the plaintiffs sufficiently demonstrated that their privacy was invaded when Siri was unexpectedly activated and listened to and recorded conversations they did not intend or want Siri to hear. The judge also stated that the suit did not show the economic harm necessary to support a claim that Apple deceptively marketed Siri. The ruling allowed the privacy claims to proceed while not sustaining the deceptive marketing claim on the grounds presented.

Judge White said plaintiffs sufficiently showed that their privacy was invaded when Siri was unexpectedly activated and listened to and recorded conversations they did not intend or want Siri to hear. He also said the suit did not show the economic harm necessary to support a claim that Apple deceptively marketed Siri.

Apple bans employee pay-equity discussion channel

Issue disclosure

In 2021, Apple reportedly banned an employee Slack channel that had been created to discuss pay information and statistics. According to the report, an employment attorney said the ban could violate labor law and characterized it as retaliation. The article also reports that the legal question remained unresolved. The report does not state any further outcome or additional allegations beyond the channel ban, the attorney's comments, and the unresolved legal question.

Apple settles U.S. app developers' class action

Settlement

Apple settled a class action lawsuit brought by U.S. app developers. The settlement is subject to court approval and includes changes to App Store practices, including allowing developers more flexibility to advertise payment options outside their iOS apps. The developers had alleged that Apple broke antitrust laws through practices including commissions of up to 30%.

Apple settled a class action lawsuit with U.S. app developers. The settlement is subject to court approval and includes changes to App Store practices, including allowing developers more flexibility to advertise payment options outside their iOS apps. The developers had alleged that Apple broke antitrust laws through practices including commissions of up to 30%.

Small-claims ruling over defective iPhone

Ruling

In a small-claims case brought by Janet Carlson over a defective iPhone, the magistrate agreed with her claim. Carlson later received a $2,800 check from Apple. The source article does not state the date of the magistrate's decision. The event is recorded as a controversy note concerning Apple, based solely on the details and source quote provided.

In Janet Carlson’s small-claims case over a defective iPhone, the magistrate agreed with her claim; Carlson later received a $2,800 check from Apple. The article does not give the date of the magistrate’s decision.

Italy's competition authority fines Apple and Google

Fine or penalty

In November 2021, Italy's competition authority fined Apple and Google approximately $11.3 million each for violations of the country's Consumer Code. According to the reported event, the violations concerned insufficient information and aggressive practices related to the acquisition and use of consumer data for commercial purposes. The authority applied the penalties to both companies over these consumer-protection breaches. The event summary does not specify further details about the proceedings, the companies' responses, or subsequent outcomes.

Italy fines Amazon and Apple over sales restrictions

Fine or penalty

Italy's antitrust authority fined Amazon and Apple over alleged anti-competitive cooperation in the sale of Apple and Beats products. According to the authority, provisions in a 2018 agreement restricted which resellers could sell these products on Amazon.it, and it ordered the companies to end the restrictions. Apple denied wrongdoing and said it planned to appeal.

Apple sues NSO Group over alleged targeting of Apple users

Lawsuit filed

Apple announced that it is suing NSO Group for the "surveillance and targeting of Apple users" and is seeking to block access to its mobile devices. The lawsuit also includes NSO Group's parent company Q Cyber Technologies. The announcement was made on November 23, 2021.

UK regulator contacts Apple and Google among 40 companies over children's data practices

Investigation

In 2021, the UK Information Commissioner's Office contacted 40 companies in social media, gaming, video and music streaming, including Apple and Google, as part of its examination of how their services interact with children and whether they comply with privacy requirements. Research cited in the report alleged that the companies' app stores did not do enough to prevent underage users from downloading age-inappropriate apps.

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office contacted 40 companies in social media, gaming, video and music streaming, including Apple and Google, as part of its examination of services' interactions with children and potential compliance with privacy requirements. Research cited in the report alleged that the companies' app stores did not do enough to prevent underage users from downloading age-inappropriate apps.

Foxconn identifies accommodation and canteen deficiencies at Indian facility

Issue disclosure

Apple said an independent assessment at Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur facility found that conditions in some remote dormitories and the canteen did not meet requirements, following concerns about food safety and accommodation. Foxconn said it was restructuring local management and systems and had agreed to expand living areas, upgrade bathing facilities and provide drinking water.

Dutch regulator rules against Apple App Store payment policies

Ruling

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets ruled that Apple’s commission policies on in-app payments violated Dutch competition law and ordered Apple to adjust the conditions applied to dating-app providers.

Apple retail workers stage Christmas Eve walkout

Public backlash

Apple retail workers staged a walkout on Christmas Eve, demanding better working conditions. Organizers said at least 50 workers across three states called out, citing insufficient paid sick leave and a lack of pandemic hazard pay. Apple said all employees receive paid sick leave for COVID-like symptoms.

Apple Watch users report charging problems after watchOS update

Issue disclosure

A report said many Apple Watch Series 7 users experienced charging problems after updating to watchOS 8.3, including very slow charging with third-party chargers; charging returned to normal with the original charger.

Apple files lawsuit against Ericsson over 5G patent licensing

Lawsuit filed

Apple filed a lawsuit against Ericsson in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that Ericsson used hard-line tactics in 5G patent licensing negotiations and failed to license standard-essential patents at a fair price.

Apple challenges Russian antimonopoly warning in court

Lawsuit filed

Apple brought legal action against Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service to challenge a warning requiring it to allow app developers to inform customers about alternative payment options. The warning concerned alleged abuse in the market; the supplied report does not establish a court determination on the merits.

Apple retail branch fined for denying an annual upgrade service

Fine or penalty

Beijing Xicheng District's market supervision authority warned and fined Apple Electronics Trading (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Xidan Branch RMB 50,000 after finding that the branch refused a customer's annual upgrade service request on the grounds that the customer had received a business discount; the authority said that was not a legitimate reason.