Lawsuit for intentional degradation of iPhone’s performance

   Writer 한누리    l    Hit 33
2024.02.01 원문보기


We are pleased to announce a significant legal victory secured by Hannuri Law LLC on behalf of iPhone users in the recent lawsuit addressing the intentional performance degradation by Apple Inc. through iOS updates.


In a groundbreaking decision on December 6, the 12th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court ruled in favor of consumers, affirming Apple's legal responsibility for non-disclosure of the impact of the iOS updates on iPhone performance. The court ordered Apple Inc. and Apple Korea to compensate each participating plaintiff with a noteworthy 70,000 won.


The court's decision emphasizes the notable information disparity between Apple and consumers, holding Apple accountable for violating its obligation to transparently inform users about the potential side effects of the iOS updates. Users, who were unable to anticipate the peak performance limitations and app functionality restrictions resulting from the updates, were found to have suffered damages due to Apple's non-disclosure.


This victory follows Hannuri Law LLC's commitment to representing the interests of consumers in the face of technological giants. Initially representing 63,767 

iPhone owners, the law firm navigated the complexities of the Korean civil litigation system, ultimately transitioning to an impact litigation format on appeal to underscore Apple's legal responsibility.


Notably, during the legal proceedings, the court acknowledged the limitations of the current legal framework in Korea, which lacks collective consumer redress mechanisms. This recognition highlights the need for urgent reforms to advance litigation practices and protect consumer rights effectively.


While this particular decision compensates seven plaintiffs who participated in the appeal, it sets a precedent by acknowledging Apple's legal responsibility for the controversial iOS update. We believe this decision underscores the importance of consumer rights and emphasizes the accountability of tech giants in providing transparent information to users.


Hannuri Law LLC will continue its dedication to advocating for consumer rights and pursuing justice in cases that impact individuals on a large scale. We express our gratitude to our clients for their trust and participation in this legal journey.