Apple vows to be more open about iPhone performance after consumer law concerns
Apple has pledged to be more transparent about the battery health and performance of its iPhones, the competition watchdog said today.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the US tech firm has vowed to be “clearer and more upfront” with iPhone users following concerns it might be breaching consumer law.
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It came after the CMA raised concerns with Apple that users were not being warned clearly that their phone’s performance could slow down following a 2017 software update.
Consumers also complained they were not easily able to find information about the health of their iPhone’s battery, which can degrade over time.
Apple has already started to be more upfront with iPhone users since the concerns were raised, the CMA said.
“But today’s announcement locks the firm into formal commitments always to notify people when issuing a planned software update if it is expected to materially change the impact of performance management on their phones,” the regulator added.
Under the new agreement, Apple will also provide easily-accessible information about battery health and unexpected shutdowns, as well as guidance on how iPhone users can maximise the health of their phone’s battery.
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Apple is facing a string of class action lawsuits in the US over complaints the firm deliberately slowed down its phones, forcing customers to upgrade or repair their devices more regularly.
But the tech giant has argued it slowed down older models to prolong battery life and improve user experience.