Apple files a motion to dismiss one ‘Batterygate’ lawsuit

Apple can’t be held liable for slowing down iPhones with iOS updates, according to a motion to dismiss a lawsuit concerning efforts to prolong an iPhone’s battery life by reducing its performance, reports AppleInsider.

The tech giant filed a motion with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California seeking to dismiss one of several lawsuits related to “Batterygate.” According to AppleInsider, Apple says:

• Plaintiffs failed to explain what was false or misleading regarding Apple’s statements on the battery issue;

• It had no duty to disclose the facts regarding software capability and battery capacity,” the company asserts, on the basis it does not cause an “unreasonable safety hazard,” and that there’s a limit to the duty a company has to offer such disclosure;

• Updates were indeed installed with the user’s consent;

• Plaintiffs were compared to “homeowners who have let a building contractor into their homes to upgrade their kitchens, thus giving permission for the contractor to demolish and change parts of the houses.” 

“Batterygate” involves Apple slowing down iPhones in order to preserve battery life. In December 2018, the company apologized for not telling people sooner.

Facing a consumer backlash, the tech giant offered $29 replacement batteries for those with an iPhone 6 or later. The discount ran from January to December of last year.