France: Apple investigated for ‘planned obsolescence’

French prosecutors have launched a probe over allegations of “planned obsolescence” in Apple’s iPhone.

Under French law it is a crime to intentionally shorten lifespan of a product with the aim of making customers replace it.

In December, Apple admitted that older iPhone models were deliberately slowed down through software updates.

But it insisted it was because the phones’ battery performance diminished over time.

The French investigation is being led by the economy ministry’s consumer protection agency. It follows a legal complaint filed in December by pro-consumer group Stop Planned Obsolescence (Hop).

Hop said France was the third country to investigate Apple after Israel and the US, but the only one in which the alleged offense was a crime. Penalties could include up to 5% of annual turnover or even a jail term.

The group alleged that Apple had both deliberately slowed down some iPhone models through a software update and timed the update to coincide with the release of the newer model, the iPhone 8.

“The slowing down of older devices seems to have the deliberate aim of pushing Apple customers towards purchasing the new model,” the group said.

Full Content: The Guardian

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