Apple Sued Over Automatic Downloading Of iOS 7 Install File To Holdout Devices
October 19, 2013
Last month, it was discovered that Apple had automatically pushed out the install file for iOS 7 to users who had been holding out on the new operating system. Now, one of those users has taken legal action over this move, which, according to the complainant, is tantamount to "corporate thuggery."
As we reported several weeks ago, the automatically downloaded install file resulted in frustration among many users.
While the installation itself of iOS 7 requires user interaction, the downloading of the install file does not: it's downloaded automatically over the air to holdout devices once they're plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi. Once downloaded, the install file can take up as much as 3GB of disk storage, which users have no way of deleting.
Now, one affected user has taken Apple to task regarding the company's move. Mark David Menacher, a resident of Poway, Calif., has filed suit in small-claims court against Apple CEO Tim Cook. CNET reports:
"Apple's disregard for customer preferences in relation to iOS 7 is corporate thuggery," Menacher said in a statement. "Steve Jobs was reportedly rough on company employees in pursuit of happy customers, but Tim Cook apparently cultivates a culture of contempt for customer satisfaction in pursuit of corporate profits. It is a policy that will eventually fail."In addition to a way to get rid of the download install file, Menacher's complaint is asking for $50 in damages.