Roger Fingas
A Seattle-based lawfirm is considering a class action lawsuit against Apple, following reports of an "Error 53" message some iPhone owners have seen after having unofficial repairs done on their Touch ID sensor.
The firm, PCVA, is investigating the option, and soliticting complaints from people affected by the glitch, The Guardian said on Monday. The message is triggered if people get unauthorized repairs that affect the Touch ID sensor, and then try to update or restore their iPhone. At that stage the phone is rendered both unusable and ineligible for warranty coverage.
"We believe Apple may be intentionally forcing users to use their repair services, which cost much more than most third-party repair shops," PCVA claimed, noting that the public would find it unacceptable if carmakers forced drivers to bring vehicles into an official dealership for service.
The firm said it would represent any affected people coming forward for free.
In its defense, Apple has said that it's trying to protect the security of users. Touch ID normally saves data in a component known as the Secure Enclave, and in theory unofficial parts could be used to steal a user's fingerprint. During official repairs Apple re-validates the pairing between the Touch ID sensor and the Enclave.
The company is asking people impacted by Error 53 to contact Apple Support, but to date the only known solution has been to get a replacement iPhone.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
77 Comments
Yeah we knew this was coming, but if the error is due to the fact the touch ID and secure elements are linked together for security purposes there is not a whole lot they can argue about going to a non-authorized repair places. Also warranty repairs are free so their is no cost impact to the user to get something fixed under warranty. This issue only applies to those phones outside warranty, so you warranty is not violated when it is already outside of the warranty period. Looks like this lawyers do not understand US warranty laws.
It is kind of like being upset you can not take your electronic safe to anyone you like to change the locking mechanism and when you do and they screw it up and thief break into your safe and steal all your valuables you want to sue the safe manufacturer. We all know how the courts will rule in that case.
With that said, I would still be upset I could not repaid my own Iphone. I have done my fair share of repairs on old Iphones, done batteries, broken displays, and home buttons. I guess this is one things I will not be repairing myself when I am out of warranty.
Non-authorized repair.
Oh well.
Without a doubt Apple totally mishandled this by pulling the stunt out of the blue and should pay the piper for it. But to say this is a ploy to promote Apple's repair service is a stretch. It appears, the only repairs affected are those that tamper with the Touch ID system. Insisting that any outfit should be able to repair the Touch ID system is like allowing any Tom Dick and Harry to service the local ATM. Or allowing an unlicensed, unbonded "security contractor" to set up or repair your home security system. If you do the latter, then you deserve the burglary that happens the next day.
Frak the greedy lawyers.