Apple is facing one of the largest collective legal claims in UK history, worth over £ 853 million, for allegedly slowing down millions of older Apple iPhones without user consent. The case, brought by consumer advocate Justin Gutmann, accuses the tech giant of secretly throttling device performance through software updates, potentially pushing users toward unnecessary upgrades. Filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the case is supported by law firm Charles Lyndon and represents an estimated 23.8 million affected users.
Apple’s performance management under scrutiny
According to the claim, Apple intentionally reduced processor speeds on several Apple iPhone models through software updates, allegedly to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by battery degradation. However, Gutmann’s legal team argues that users were not informed about these changes, nor given a clear choice to opt out. The updates, described as “performance management,” are said to have compromised user experience and misled consumers about their devices’ actual capabilities.
The affected Apple iPhone models include the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), and iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Later updates may also involve the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, though these models are not currently central to the claim.
Apple’s previous global settlements
This is not Apple’s first encounter with legal action on this issue. In 2020, Apple agreed to pay $ 500 million in the United States to settle similar claims, and in France, it paid € 25 million to resolve a throttling investigation. Despite these settlements, Apple has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that performance management features were designed to prolong device life and prevent battery-related shutdowns.
No link to Samsung or Qualcomm cases
While Samsung was fined € 5 million in Italy in 2018 for comparable software issues, it is not involved in this UK lawsuit. The Apple case is also distinct from the £ 480 million class action against Qualcomm, which focuses on alleged overpricing due to anti-competitive practices rather than performance throttling.
Consumer rights and global impact
The Gutmann vs Apple case raises broader questions about consumer rights and corporate transparency in digital product management. Globally, users are increasingly calling for clearer information about what software updates do to their devices. Legal experts believe this case could set new standards for how technology companies communicate software-related performance changes to consumers.
What happens next in court
The Competition Appeal Tribunal granted a Collective Proceedings Order (CPO) on January 23, 2025, allowing the case to proceed as a collective action. In April 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the claimant’s position on a key funding issue, paving the way for the lawsuit to move forward. The next phase will involve detailed evidence gathering and case management steps.
Consumers who used the affected Apple iPhone models in the UK between 2016 and 2019 are encouraged to stay updated through official claim portals once they are made available. The outcome could influence not only compensation for UK consumers but also how courts worldwide approach software transparency in the future.
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