Apple Gets Sued Over Wi-Fi Assist Cellular Data Charges

On Friday, a class-action suit was filed in San Jose, California against Apple over cellular charges accumulated via an iOS 9 feature. Fortune reports that the mobile phone feature that is purportedly to blame was Wi-Fi Assist, which automatically switches to cellular data if the mobile phone is connected to a weak signal. According to William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips, who have filed on all iPhone feature users’ behalf, said in the lawsuit that Apple should reimburse for data overuse charges. 

Part of the suit read, “"Reasonable and average consumers use their iPhones for streaming of music, videos, and running various applications — all of which can use significant data. Defendant's corrective statement does not disclose any basis for its conclusion that an average consumer would not see much increase in cellular usage." 

CNET said since the feature’s debut in September, Apple has been deluged with complaints over the data charge automation. The couple has accused Apple of violating the California's Unfair Competition Law, the state's False Advertising Law, and of negligent misrepresentation, and is seeking USD5 million in damages, Apple Insider said.