Apple targeted by 2 Quebec law firms in class-action lawsuit

Two Quebec law firms are seeking authorization to file a class-action lawsuit against Apple for allegedly violating the province's Consumer Protection Act.

They filed a motion in Quebec Superior Court last Dec. 29 after Apple acknowledged having secretly slowed down older iPhones.

The company said the move was necessary to avoid unexpected shutdowns related to battery fatigue.

• Apple really does slow down some older iPhones

LPC Avocats et Renno Vathilakis Avocats allege the one-year warranty offered to Quebec consumers for batteries is not reasonable, given the price and the expected use of thedevices.

The law firms also allege the "AppleCare" extended warranty is not more advantageous than the legal guarantee under Quebec's Consumer Protection Act and that "its price is disproportionate to the point of causing the objective lesion to all AppleCare purchasers."

They are seeking yet-to-be-determined compensatory damages, as well as punitive damages of $300 per member of the lawsuit.

The application was filed on behalf of Quebecers who bought an Apple product, including iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, iPods or MacBooks. It also covers people who purchased AppleCareor AppleCare+for an Apple product and were not informed of their legal warranty.