Report: DOJ and SEC Investigate Apple for Slowing Down iPhones

The Associated Press
The Associated Press

The Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are reportedly investigating Apple after the company admitted to slowing down older iPhone models.

In December, Apple admitted to slowing down older iPhone models in what they claimed was an effort to prevent random shutdowns.

“The government has requested information from the company,” reported Bloomberg on Tuesday, citing “people familiar with the matter,” who “asked not to be named because the probe is private.”

“The inquiry is in early stages, they cautioned, and it’s too soon to conclude any enforcement will follow. Investigators are looking into public statements made by Apple on the situation,” Bloomberg claimed. “While the slowdown has frustrated consumers, U.S. investigators are concerned that the company may have misled investors about the performance of older phones.”

The company was quickly criticized for slowing down older iPhones, and even faced lawsuits that complained Apple never sought consent from customers to slow down their devices.

This month, the Shanghai Consumer Council also requested a full explanation from Apple over the controversy, which eventually prompted the company to announce an upcoming update that will give customers the ability to turn off the battery management feature, which slows down devices. The French government is also investigating whether or not Apple broke that country’s laws on planned obsolescence

Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington, or like his page at Facebook.

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