Apple iPhone 'Error 53' Problems: Apple Faces Class Lawsuit
Apple will soon be readying its lawyers as a new class lawsuit has been put into action. The lawsuit is in response to Apple's iPhone "Error 53" problems that have affected some users.
On Thursday, Feb. 11, MacRumors reported that Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA), a law firm based in Seattle, has filed a class lawsuit against Apple. According PCVA attorney Darrell Cochran, who is leading the Error 53 lawsuit, the company's security argument is invalid and it failed to provide any warning regarding iPhones bricking due to an update.
Apple disables the iPhone when it fails the Touch ID validation check during an iOS update or restore. This renders the phone unusable, but Apple says bricking the iPhone is a necessary step to ensure that the security of their customers' fingerprint information do not get compromised. However, Cochran has pointed out that the validation check only happens when users of affected iPhones download a new iOS version. He claims that at least some of the affected iPhones work fine for months after repairs.
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In other words, by downloading the iOS update, users of affected iPhones brick their devices. However, Apple has not given users any warning regarding the same. This is an issue that Cochran wants to include in the lawsuit.
"No materials we've seen from Apple ever show a disclosure that your phone would self-destruct if you download new software onto a phone," MacRumors quotes Cochran as saying. "If Apple wants to kill your phone under any set of circumstances and for any reason, it has to make it crystal clear to its customers before the damage is done."
Cochran adds that Apple's response to the problem has been lacking as well.
"The error code 53 signals the death of the phone, and Apple's response has been to say 'you have no options; it's not covered under warranty, and you have to buy a new phone.'"
PCVA wants Apple to replace affected customers with new working devices and is seeking for $5 million or more in damages. The law firm also wants the company to update its repair restrictions.
