Apple has been slapped with a class action lawsuit that accuses the tech giant of misleading consumers over storage space available in devices such as iPhones, iPods and iPads.
The lawsuit filed by Miami residents Paul Orshan and Christopher Endara on Wednesday in San Jose, California, federal court, accuses Apple of “unfair, unlawful, and fraudulent business acts or practices” and misleading consumers about the amount of space iOS 8 takes up in the memory of devices.
As per the complaint, iOS 8 takes up to 23.1 per cent of the advertised storage capacity on Apple devices and as a result people are left with far less than advertised storage space to store their own data.
“Apple’s misrepresentations and omissions are deceptive and misleading because they omit material facts that an average consumer would consider in deciding whether to purchase its products,” the complaint reads.
“Rather ironically, Apple touts iOS 8 as ‘The biggest iOS release ever.’ Of course, Apple is not referring to the literal size of iOS 8, which appears to be entirely undisclosed in its voluminous marketing materials extolling the purported virtues of iOS 8.”
The lawsuit alleges that Cupertino pushes out hefty software updates to force users to sign up for its fee-based iCloud storage system for storing pictures, videos and more.
“Using these sharp business tactics, [Apple] gives less storage capacity than advertised, only to offer to sell that capacity in a desperate moment, e.g., when a consumer is trying to record or take photos at a child or grandchild’s recital, basketball game or wedding,” the lawsuit contends.
“To put this in context, each gigabyte of storage Apple shortchanges its customers amounts to approximately 400-500 high resolution photographs.”
The plaintiffs are seeking millions of dollars in damages and changes to Apple policies under California state law.
Apple is yet to comment on the lawsuit.
