Dec 16, 2023 — Apple has agreed to a $25 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit related to its Family Sharing feature. This feature allows users and their family members to share access to apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books. The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged that Apple misrepresented the functionality of its Family Sharing feature, particularly in relation to app subscriptions.
The settlement, first reported by MacRumors, reveals that Apple denies any misleading misrepresentations and all allegations of wrongdoing. The agreement highlights that Apple has opted for a settlement to avoid the burdensome and expensive nature of continuing to defend the legal action. However, the company does not admit any fault, liability, or wrongdoing.
According to court documents, Apple advertised Family Sharing as an option on apps that did not support it, particularly subscription-based apps. The lawsuit claims that despite being aware that these apps did not support Family Sharing, Apple placed ads for Family Sharing on them. This allegedly led millions of consumers to download subscription-based apps, believing they were available for Family Sharing, only to discover after payment that they were not.
U.S. residents enrolled in a Family Sharing group with at least one other person between June 21, 2015, and January 30, 2019, who purchased a subscription to an app during that period may be eligible for a payment. Eligible class members will receive an email this week. Each class member can claim $30, with the total payout capped at $50 per individual. The settlement allocates $10 million for attorney fees.
Eligible class members have until March 1, 2024, to file a claim, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2024.
Apple did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
Source: TechCrunch