Apple customers could be entitled to a share of $25 million settlement

If you used Apple’s Family Sharing feature between 2015 and 2019 and meet certain criteria, you may be entitled to a share of a recently announced $25 million settlement. 

The lawsuit alleged that Apple misrepresented the capabilities of Family Sharing, specifically in terms of sharing app subscriptions. It claimed that despite Apple’s advertising, many subscription-based apps didn’t actually support the feature.

Apple, while denying any wrongdoing, has taken steps to enhance the security of the Family Sharing feature. Despite settling the lawsuit, the company maintains that it did not mislead anyone, likely opting for a settlement as a more cost-effective resolution.

Consumers affected by the lawsuit may have mixed feelings about the outcome. While consumers may receive a payout ranging from $30 to $50, the law firms involved in the case are set to receive $10 million.

To qualify for a payout, you must be a U.S. resident who was part of a Family Sharing group with at least one other person between June 21, 2015, and January 30, 2019, and have purchased a subscription to an app from the App Store during this period. 

If you meet these criteria and wish to claim your payment, visit the Walter Peters vs. Apple Inc. lawsuit page, locate the Payment Election Form, and complete it by March 1, 2024. Then, simply wait for a notification from the independent settlement advisor, who will inform you if Apple identifies you as a class member. 

This isn’t the first time Apple has faced legal action. The company has been involved in several lawsuits in recent years. For example, last year a consumer called Justin Gutmann, accused Apple of secretly shortening the life of older phones.

In the lawsuit, it was also alleged that Apple offered users an upgrade that it said would improve the performance of their phones, but the upgrade slowed the performance of devices instead.