Apple sued by Italian consumer association for planned iPhone obsolescence

The Italian consumer association, Altroconsumo, announced on Monday that it had notified Apple that it has launched a class-action lawsuit against the tech behemoth. 

This lawsuit is only the latest in a series launched by European consumer associations and seeks compensation of at least €60 on average for owners of iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, and 6S Plus.

The lawsuit mirrors US cases over claims the Company misled consumers about software updates that slowed users’ devices, ostensibly for battery health reasons. In November, Apple agreed to pay $113 million to settle a similar case with US regulators.

“When consumers buy Apple iPhones, they expect sustainable quality products. Unfortunately, that is not what happened with the iPhone 6 series.

Not only were consumers defrauded, and did they have to face frustration and financial harm, from an environmental point of view it is also utterly irresponsible,” said Els Bruggeman, Head of Policy and Enforcement at Euroconsumers, the alliance of European consumer associations that Altroconsumo is a member of.

Euroconsumers is also coordinating ongoing lawsuits in Spain and Belgium and is planning to launch a class action in Portugal in the coming weeks.