California couple sues Apple over iOS 9’s Wi-Fi Assist feature gobbling too much data
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California couple sues Apple over iOS 9’s Wi-Fi Assist feature gobbling too much data
We knew from the start that iOS 9’s new Wi-Fi Assist feature could be a little overzealous in its data consumption habits. But we’d never have said that Apple would face a suit because of the company’s failure to properly warn users about the feature’s propensity to tear through your data plan.
Well, that’s exactly what is happening now because a California-based couple have sued Apple for failing to do enough to warn iPhone owners about Wi-Fi Assist’s data use, which allegedly resulted in them racking up overage charges on their iPhone 5s units running iOS 9.
Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches over to cellular data if and when your Wi-Fi signal strength drops below a certain threshold. It is turned on by default, so it’s easy to see how unwitting users could see their phone bills balloon.
The couple bringing the suit allege that total damages could exceed US$5 million, because of the sheer number of customers that could be affected. Whether or not that is in fact the case, we’re doubtful that the case will actually stand up in court.
Source: 9to5Mac
