Topline
Apple is expected to soon start issuing million of dollars in payouts to consumers in a years-old lawsuit that settled what was called “one of the largest consumer frauds in history” over iPhone performance, news that comes as other major companies including Facebook, Juul and Delta Airlines await movement on their own pending class-action lawsuits.
In an office scene, a man with a gold iPhone 6 in the pocket of khaki pants.
Key Facts
An objection to the pending Apple settlement—the company in 2020 agreed to pay up to $500 million over claims it purposefully suppressed the performance of certain iPhone models to address battery issues—was rejected last week by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, the Mercury News reported, removing the final roadblock for payments to millions of iPhone users.
It’s unclear exactly how much each of the eligible iPhone users will receive—three million claims were submitted back in 2020 by owners of various iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 models—but court documents released in 2021 estimate $65 will be paid to about 2.2 million successful claimants.
The lawsuit filed in 2018 claimed that iPhones were shutting down unexpectedly despite a battery life of 30% or more because the hardware couldn’t keep up with the increasing demands of new software updates and claimed that when confronted with the issue the company purposefully slowed down performance of the phones with a new update to reduce the number of shutdowns.
Apple admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to pay customers between $310 million to $500 million in the case, depending on how many individuals file claims, on top of a separate $113 million settlement it agreed to in a separate lawsuit brought by the State of California and Alameda and Los Angeles counties.
Apple did not respond to Forbes’ request for comment Tuesday.
Where Other Big-Time Class Action Lawsuits Stand
A user on Instagram social network in L’Aquila, Italy, on October 3, 2020.
Instagram—Users of Meta-owned Instagram in Illinois have until Wednesday to claim their piece of a $68 million class-action settlement that claims the app violated a state-specific privacy law that prohibits collection and storage of biometric information. Any Illinois user of Instagram in the last eight years is eligible to be paid in the settlement, which will need to be approved by a court at a final hearing scheduled for October 11. Illinois has the nation’s strictest law on biometrics and has also won similar lawsuits against Facebook and Google.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the annual F8 summit at the San Jose McEnery Convention … [+]
Facebook—Anyone who used Facebook between May of 2007 and December of 2022 have until August 25 to claim a piece of a $725 million settlement over privacy violations. Facebook’s parent company, Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta, agreed to the settlement without admitting fault after several users said they had their private information shared with third-party companies, most notably the former political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, the subject of the documentary The Great Hack.
Delta Airlines passenger planes at Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Delta Airlines—Delta in June settled a class action lawsuit brought by customers who said the airline made it difficult to request refunds for flights canceled by the airline at the start of the Covid pandemic, and that Delta didn’t deliver those refunds in a timely manner. Customers who requested refunds but instead got flight credits they haven’t used for trips canceled between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021 are eligible to apply for payment. Claims must be made by Aug. 31 and a final approval hearing for the suit is scheduled for October 5. Delta is also facing a recently-filed proposed class action lawsuit over its advertisements claiming the airline is carbon neutral. The complaint was filed in May by a resident who said they were tricked into booking on Delta for a more environmentally friendly travel option when the airline was not living up to its advertisement. Delta did not respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Electronic cigarettes and pods by Juul, the nation’s largest maker of vaping products, are offered … [+]
Juul— One of several high-dollar class action lawsuits against the e-cigarette maker Juul is awaiting final court approval out of San Francisco after a judge in January approved a $255 million settlement. The deadline for claims passed last month and those who qualify will get between 150% and 300% of the amount they paid for products purchased. The class action alleged the company downplayed the likelihood of addiction and marketed to underage users. Juul also settled with six states and the District of Columbia for $462 million in April over similar marketing claims. That agreement represents settlements with 47 states and 5,000 people and local governments according to the New York Times.
The Macy’s company signage is seen at the Herald Square store on March 02, 2023 in New York City.
Macy’s—The department store chain in May agreed to pay $10.5 million to customers who said they were misled about the thread count of cotton sheets. Customers who purchased CVC sheets between November of 2013 and March of this year are eligible to file a claim. Similar lawsuits have been filed against Ross and the Simmons Bedding Company.
Other pending class action suits include a $4.2 million settlement from Fashion Nova over FTC-brought claims it blocked negative reviews from its website, $2.5 million settlement agreed to by the owner of popular dry shampoo brand Batiste after claims its product contain benzene, a known carcinogen, and Turkish Airlines has agreed to pay $1 million to travelers who said their flights were canceled without a voucher or refund issued.
Forbes Valuation
Apple has a $2.8 trillion market cap. Facebook and Instagram are owned by Mark Zuckerberg’s company Meta, which has a market cap of $787.9 billion. Zuckerberg was listed as the world’s eighth richest person Tuesday with a $106.8 billion net worth.
Further Reading
Apple to pay up to $500 million to iPhone users after judge nixes final appeal (Mercury News)
Instagram Paying $68.5 Million To Illinois Users In Latest Big Biometric Privacy Settlement (Forbes)
Facebook Users Must Act Fast To Get Cash From $725 Million Privacy Settlement (Forbes)
Millions Set For Apple Batterygate Payouts As Lawyers Reach Deal (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/08/15/apple-poised-to-start-paying-500-million-in-batterygate-lawsuit-payments–plus-where-other-high-profile-class-action-suits-stand/