iPhone Users Fight Back: Apple Hit With Lawsuit Over 'Fake' AI Promises
Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit over delayed AI features promised in its iPhone 16 series. The lawsuit alleges that Apple misled customers with advertising about the availability of AI capabilities, leading to disappointment when the features did not materialize as expected. The delay puts Apple at a disadvantage against competitors like Google and OpenAI in the tech industry's AI battleground. Apple has not officially responded to the lawsuit, but it is likely to argue that delays are a normal part of software development. As consumers demand accountability, Apple's reputation and pricing strategy may be scrutinized in court.
Apple is in hot water as disgruntled iPhone users have taken legal action against the company, accusing it of misleading them with AI feature promises that have yet to materialize. A class-action lawsuit has been filed in the US District Court in San Jose, claiming that Apple’s advertising led customers to believe that its new AI-powered Siri features would be available soon after launch — something that has not happened. The lawsuit comes in response to Apple’s recent announcement that its much-anticipated AI upgrades, including an improved version of Siri, will now be delayed until 2026. With AI becoming a critical battleground in the tech world, the delay puts Apple at a disadvantage as rivals like Google and OpenAI push forward with their advancements.
Apple Intelligence Delays Spark Consumer Backlash
The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s marketing for the iPhone 16 series heavily featured AI capabilities, which may have influenced many customers to upgrade their devices under the assumption that these features would arrive shortly after release. However, users have been left waiting, with only minor AI functionalities expected to debut with the iOS 18.1 update in October. Even then, early reports suggest that these features may not live up to the hype Apple created. “Filing a lawsuit over these false promises from Apple means the consumers would be liable to get compensation for spending their money on the pretext of the unreleased AI features,” the plaintiffs argue, pointing to potential financial repercussions for Apple if the court rules in their favour.
While Apple has not officially responded to the lawsuit, the Cupertino tech giant is likely to argue that delays are a normal part of software development. However, given Apple’s immense valuation and reputation for premium pricing, the court may not take a lenient stance, especially if it finds that consumers were misled into purchasing a product that did not deliver as advertised. Meanwhile, Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.4 in the coming weeks, which is expected to bring language improvements to Siri, particularly for users in India. The update aims to provide more localized responses and enhance AI-driven interactions. However, whether these improvements will be enough to placate frustrated users remains to be seen.
As Apple navigates both its legal battle and AI development challenges, one thing is clear: consumers are no longer willing to accept delays and vague promises without consequences.
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