France’s competition and fraud watchdog DGCCRF has fined Apple $27 million for deliberately slowing down older devices without making it clear to consumers.
In 2017, Apple had confirmed that it slowed down devices but claimed it was done to “prolong the life” of older smartphones of Apple.
However, many users believe that Apple slows down the phones to create psychological pressure on consumers so that they upgrade their devices.
In 2017, the company acknowledged that operating system updates released for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and iPhone 7 included a feature “to smooth out” power supply from batteries that are cold, old or low on charge.
The lithium-ion batteries installed in the smartphone become less proficient in supplying to demands and become dated over time.
The smartphones without the adjustment would shut down abruptly because of a safeguard designed to prevent components from getting fried, said Apple.
However, according to the French watchdog, iPhone users “were not informed that installing iOS updates (10.2.1 and 11.2) could slow down their devices”.
According to reports, the amount of the fine is equal to profits Apple earns in just three hours.
