Roger Fingas
A U.S. District Court judge in California has tossed one of two lawsuits against Apple over "Error 53" glitches, triggered when an iOS device's Touch ID technology is altered by an unofficial technician.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled on Monday that the plaintiffs in the case had no standing, according to Fortune. Claims regarding "lost data" weren't separate from claims over defective iPhones, the judge said, and Apple had already dealt with problems through software fixes and repair reimbursements.
Chhabria also rejected claims of false advertising, arguing that the plaintiffs hadn't produced evidence Apple knew about Error 53 while marketing iPhones.
"The mere fact that a company has designed a product doesn't mean it automatically knows about all of that product's potential design flaws," Chhabria commented in his written ruling.
The plaintiffs could potentially relaunch the case if they amend their complaint to demonstrate harm. In fact the judge pointed to one plaintiff who said he lost data by restoring to factory settings, noting that the original complaint didn't identify this is as a legal loss.
A separate Error 53 case is still ongoing in Seattle. Until Apple pushed out an iOS update, people affected by the issue would find their devices "bricked" in an attempt to deter the use of fraudulent Touch ID sensors.
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
33 Comments
Well, chalk one up for common sense. And Apple should pursue the plaintiffs to recover Apple's lawyer's fees as a very costly deterrent.
Good! These lawsuits were retarded from the very beginning, and the people pushing them were morons, people with no standing, according to the judge.
If somebody goes ahead and intentionally messes with and alters the security mechanisms of their phone, then they deserve to get their device bricked.
That's no flaw. It sounds like good security measures that Apple has taken.
You see, there is Apple level security, and then there's all the rest, like Android level security, which is about as secure as an open door, with a huge sign in front of it, begging thieves to enter.
If certain people are uncomfortable with Apple's high level of security, then I would suggest that they migrate to other, less secure platforms, that would suit them better.
This can't be right. Apple won a frivolous case ? In the US ?
This can't be over, there will be an appeal … on something … let's see …
Ah ! Could that be a hint for the appeal ?
Oh ! Well maybe they're just plotting for this one.
All sarcasm aside, I certainly hope we can chalk one for common sense if this holds, although it may be short lived. I don't think the DOJ will want to set a bad example, unless they're just throwing the small fish back and baiting for the 400 million dollar whoppers.
Exactly how was it frivolous? iPhones absolutely did experience the Error 53. That error prevented the use of the phone, access to the data on the phone, and for many weeks Apple actually said that it wasn't going to address the issue.
Change the whole story to a car. You have a car and have an aftermarket item installed and the car won't turn on due simply to a software check.
I'm a shareholder, but people experienced damages due to encoding the Error 53 situation that left iPhones completely unusable. They have deserve to have resolution to that situation. And for those who think Apple's ultimate resolution negates the problem, put your phone in a drawer for two weeks and come back to let us know whether that caused a problem for you. I'm not suggesting this is a get rich quick opportunity, but restitution is deserved.
This World is full of stupid people....... if you put an "after market" parts in any thing you buy you AUTOMATICALLY broke the sellers warrantee how the hell this case even made it pass the courts doors???