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Technology

Apple investigated over slowing iPhones

January 31, 2018

Stock market regulators are examining Apple's failure to disclose the slowing of older iPhones, US media reports. Several lawsuits are pending after the firm admitted it intentionally reduced the speed of some devices.

https://p.dw.com/p/2rnfQ
Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook introduces the iPhone X smartphone during an event held at the company's new headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Jiji Press

US prosecutors and the country's stock market regulator are examining  Apple's admitted practice of deliberately slowing down older iPhones to extend battery life, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

The US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether the smartphone maker violated financial services laws, the two publications said.

Forced to apologize

In December, Apple apologized for the slowdown after a blogger's tests revealed the secretive practice, which happened when older phones automatically received a software update in early 2017.

The company said the slowdown helped to extend the performance of the phone, which uses less power when running at slower speeds. It insisted the slowdown helped prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by a low battery charge.

Read more: Tax code sees Apple boost investments in US

The revelations led to Apple being accused by French investigators of incorporating planned obsolescence into its technology, which it denied.

It promised to release a software update later in the year that allows users to switch off the slowing feature. It also planned to offer discounts to replace the batteries in some handsets.

Lining up for legal action

Apple also faces a slew of lawsuits in the US and Russia that allege the company aimed to encourage sales of newer models by letting consumers think their slowing handsets needed replacing, rather than just the battery.

iFans not buying Apple's excuse

Investors are eagerly awaiting Apple's quarterly earnings release on Thursday, which will likely include the latest iPhone sales figures.

Concern is building that the California-based company is selling fewer of its iconic iPhone X handsets than previously expected, after reports suggested production of its latest phone was being halved.

Read more: Apple profits soar ahead of new iPhone X sales launch

Apple was previously investigated by the US Department of Justice in 2012 over the price of digital book downloads. Two years earlier, the iPhone maker reached a settlement with investigators over employee anti-poaching agreements between itself and other tech firms.

France begins criminal probe into Apple

mm/aw (AFP, AP)