Apple is being sued for £3.2million because iOS 9 allegedly burns through your mobile data

Wifi Assist intelligently swaps between a wifi hotspot and mobile data connection

APPLE is facing a class action lawsuit over its controversial Wifi Assist feature, which rolled out alongside the latest iOS update last month.

 

Apple is facing a class action lawsuit in the United States over Wifi Assist, a new feature included in iOS 9.

The plaintiffs claim Apple failed to educate or warn users about Wifi Assist, which they allege can burn through substantial amounts of a users' mobile data allowance without warning.

Wifi Assist, which is turned on by default in iOS 9, is designed to ensure iPhone and iPad users always get a stable and fast internet connection.

 

The feature quietly swaps your iPhone from a wifi connection to mobile data, if the device judges that the 3G or 4G connection available will be the fastest of the two options.

It is designed to stop endless load times when connected to a sluggish wifi hotspot or home network – but users have complained it burns through mobile data.

Thousands voiced concern over the feature last month on social media, with many complaining Wifi Assist had used up their monthly mobile data allowance.

The US lawsuit – filed in San Jose – states users do not properly understand how Wifi Assist works and the iOS feature used more mobile data than users were expecting after upgrading to iOS 9.

 

The plaintiffs claim Wifi Assist is burning through their mobile data

It is alleged that these unexpected costs exceed $5million, or some £3.2million.

The US lawsuit claims that Apple’s explanation, which was posted on the technology firm's website earlier this month, arrived too late to help.

Apple is being accused of violating California’s Unfair Competition Law and violating the False Advertising Law.

 

It claims: "Defendant’s above corrective action, however, still downplays the possible data overcharges a user could incur. 

"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."

Plaintiffs William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips went over their mobile data allowance after upgrading their iPhone 5S handsets to the latest version of iOS.

If you do want to turn off Wifi Assist and stop your smartphone toggling between wifi and mobile data behind your back navigate to – Settings > Mobile Data then scroll down to the Wifi Assist on/off switch.