In December 2017, Apple admitted slowing down older iPhone devices (iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE) through a software update, saying it was a way to improve performance and prevent devices abruptly shutting down. iPhone owners aren’t happy with the decision and this has led to lawsuits against the company, as well as government agency probes from all across the globe.
As the latest in a string of inquiries into Apple’s software updates, Apple is facing a new investigation from both the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission that looks to determine whether or not the tech giant Apple Inc. has violated securities laws over its disclosure of the aforementioned software update that slowed down some handsets with flagging batteries, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
According to unnamed sources speaking to the publication, both of these agencies have requested Apple hand over specific information regarding this decision.
On Wednesday, Apple responded to reports that the U.S. government is investigating the company for allegedly throttling older iPhone models, saying the company would never do such a thing to drive sales of newer models.
“We have received questions from some government agencies and we are responding to them,” an Apple spokeswoman told Reuters, adding, “We have never, and would never, do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.”
Aside from more than 9 lawsuits underway in the United States, Apple also faces legal battles in France, Russia, and Israel.
