France investigating Apple's secret slowdown of old iPhones

France investigating Apple's secret slowdown of old iPhones

This articles discusses France's investigation into Apple's alleged secretive practice of slowing down older iPhones. This practice came to light after consumers noticed their older iPhones were becoming progressively slower, leading to suspicions that Apple was intentionally throttling the performance of these devices. The investigation aims to determine whether Apple violated laws requiring transparency and fair treatment of consumers. The argument began when users observed that their older iPhones experienced significant performance degradation, particularly after software updates. Many speculated that Apple implemented these slowdowns to encourage users to upgrade to newer models. However, Apple claimed that the slowdowns were intended to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. According to Apple, the software updates included power management features designed to prolong the lifespan of older iPhones and improve their overall performance. Despite Apples explanation, the issue sparked widespread criticism. The investigation underscores broader debates surrounding technology companies' responsibilities to their customers and the ethics of product design. Critics argue that companies like Apple should prioritize consumer interests and provide clear information about any changes that may affect product performance. Also, there are calls for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry to ensure that companies uphold ethical standards and respect consumer rights.

Corbet, Sylvie; Sotto, Philippe

ProQuest ThEthnic NewsWatch

South Florida Times

Jan 11-Jan 17, 2018