Did you know Apple Decides To Settle Mega Lawsuit Against Its Family Sharing Feature With $25 Million Payout
iPhone maker Apple has opted to settle a lawsuit that alleged that the tech giant misrepresented its family-sharing feature.
Apple
was accused of marketing the rollout as one that would share
subscriptions for so many apps. But that was far from the reality,
causing confusion among those who actually liked to use the endeavor for
this purpose.
The Family Sharing offering gave the user and up
to five of its different family members the chance to share their
entertainment offerings which they purchased. This included television
shows, films, apps, and music.
The legal case came in Apple’s direction in the year 2019 and accused
the company of misrepresentations which was first published by
MacRumors. Now, Apple has opted to settle the matter by jetting out $25 million.
Such
a lawsuit also brings to light more on the matter including how the
Cupertino firm denied that it falsely marketed or misrepresented
anything related to the feature and also how it was not involved in any
kind of wrongdoing.
The lawsuit’s settlement noted how the
company would no longer be defending itself against the accusations
which it deemed to be a huge burden, not to mention the great costs
related to this front.
Apple added how it entered into such an agreement and does not by any
means feel it is guilty of any act outlined in the case. They continue
to deny their role in terms of any wrongdoing and liability of any sort.
For now, the company is refusing to answer the comments
regarding this front. As per recently published documents from the court
of law, they are alleging how Apple did market Family Sharing as one
option on its platforms which didn’t support the feature.
As a
whole, the majority of the subscriptions linked to apps continue to grow
in figures and these are those that can’t be shared with specific
family members as per the document. This means they are up for grabs to
those downloading the feature and that would set up a subscription.
But
all or nearly all of the platforms did entail statements showing
support for Family Sharing on landing pages throughout the start of
January 2019.
Such a lawsuit also alleged that Apple was quite
aware of apps requiring subscriptions and didn’t provide support for
Family Sharing. However, it continued to be willing to put out ads for
Family Sharing.
As per the document from the court, millions of
users did install the apps assuming incorrectly that they could make use
of the feature. But once the payment was made, the reality struck them
about how it was no longer available to them.
American residents who were a part of the Family Sharing feature having
nearly one other individual from 2015 to 2019 added to the app would be
liable to attain payments. Moreover, those who are eligible will get the
email on this front by this week.
Every class member who puts
out a claim in this regard would attain $30 but it could vary. This all
depends upon how many file claims arise as a result of the news.
But
it’s been made very clear how payments wouldn’t be huge and would
comprise an estimate of $50 for each person designated as a class
member. Meanwhile, $10 million of this settlement payout would be
allocated under attorney fees.
Those who are eligible have till
the start of March in 2024 to make any claims on this front while the
final hearing would arise in April of 2024.
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