Apple ruins millions of users and the judge proves him wrong: he will pay a $50 million fine

Apple has reached a $50 million compensatory settlement for manufacturing defects in its devices.

In recent years, Apple has encountered many legal issues that have attracted media and public attention. Among the major problems the tech company has been embroiled in is Disputes relating to privacy, anti-competitive practices, and tax matters.

One of the latest legal disputes directly relates to the relationship with its users. In particular, many users have complained about Factory defects in MacBook keyboards, which Apple has allegedly ignored for years despite complaints. So, the customers decided to unite and condemn the company, and they got a sensational sentence last year that proved them right. Let’s find out better what happened.

Defective keyboards: Consumers will be compensated

Apple agreed Payout $50 million To resolve a class action lawsuit filed by clients. These consumers claimed that the company knew and withheld the truth of its fame Butterfly keyboards of their MacBook laptops are prone to failure.

Customers have reported that their MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro keyboards have keys that do not respond properly. The biggest problem was that too Small amounts of dust or debris can make typing difficult.

They also said that Apple’s service program was not appropriate because the company, based in Cupertino, California, often provides replacement keyboards with the same problems.

The compensation agreement covers customers who purchased MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models Between 2015 and 2019 In seven US states: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

Apple agreed to the settlement but denied any wrongdoing. Client lawyers expect Maximum payments of $395 For people who replaced multiple keyboards, $125 for those who replaced one keyboard and $50 for those who replaced keys.

Customers also remain eligible for free keyboard repairs for four years after purchase. The clients’ attorneys, Girard Sharp LLP and Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP, can request up to $15 million in attorneys’ fees, which will be deducted from $50 million compensation fundas indicated in court documents.

Fines also due to loss of magazines

At the end of last year, a Brazilian judge imposed a fine of Rs $20 million in Apple. The reason for the fine, this time, was Selling iPhones without chargerswhich Brazilians have identified as an “abusive practice” of forcing customers to buy an additional product.

“Apple stopped including chargers with new iPhones in October 2020, saying the company wanted to help reduce electronic equipment waste. But this step is actuallyIt forces consumers to buy a second product for the first to workIn his ruling, Judge Caramoro Afonso Francisco wrote.

The governors then ordered the California company to supply the chargers to all consumers in Brazil who bought iPhone 12 or 13 models in the past two years and to include them in all new sales.

Apple is also experiencing issues with chargers in our region. last year , European Parliament pass the law Which requires all smartphones, tablets, and cameras to use USB-C ports as the single standard for charging devices. This decision, which will be effective from the end of 2024, will force Apple to change its production policies.

User data: The endless row between Apple and European judges

Finally, Apple also had to pay fines for handling its users’ data. This issue is one of the most discussed in the relationship between large technology companies, users and national legislation. Last year, Apple was fined in France because it was discovered Using user data to display ads tailored to them in the app store. Data used for profiling will be collected without users’ permission.

Then the French National Commission on Computing and Liberties (CNIL) issued a fine of 8 million euros. According to the officers, The company has benefited from breaches of data protection law.

Ad personalization was an option users could turn off, but it was initially enabled by default. To turn it off, users had to be aware of the problem (of course, no one explicitly told them) and then navigate through different levels of menus. that it Prevent users from giving appropriate consent.

After that Apple changed its practices. French institutions said they carried out checks between 2021 and 2022 to ensure the company complied with data protection rules. France launched the investigation in March 2021.

Apple told Patrick McGee of the Financial Times that it “Disappointed“of the decision and that it will appeal. The iPhone company claimed its search ad system delivers”More optionsthan any other competitor and did not track users via third party apps or websites.