Apple Family Sharing Lawsuit: Eligible Users for Compensation

Apple has reportedly agreed to pay $25 Million to settle a class action lawsuit over its Family Sharing feature to end the case. The lawsuit filed by Walter Peter accused Apple of misinterpreting the ability to use its Family Sharing feature to share subscriptions to apps. While Apple has outrightly denied that it made any false or misinterpreting information, the Cupertino tech giant has agreed to pay the amount to dodge the bullet of the cost and burden of a judicial trial.

Apple Family Sharing Lawsuit

The lawsuit claims that Apple knew that many subscription-based apps did not support Family Sharing on January 30, 2019, but still included an advertisement to promote Family Sharing on the landing pages of those apps.

According to the suit, the complainant claimed that users had been “influenced to buy Apple devices,” assuming they would be eligible to share app subscriptions under Apple’s Family Sharing because of the company’s “deceitful and misleading practices.” But in reality, those users were not able to use Family Sharing for as many apps as they had believed they could.

The initial court document explains:

“Apple knew that many subscription-based apps did not support Family Sharing on January 30, 2019, but still included an advertisement to promote Family Sharing on the landing pages of those apps.

Specifically, the vast majority of subscription-based Apps, which is a growing percentage of Apple Apps, cannot be shared with designated family members. They are available only to the individual user who downloads the App and sets up a subscription. All or virtually all of these Apps, however, included the statement that they support Family Sharing on their landing pages through January 30, 2019.”

“Apple has made millions of dollars by making Family Sharing plan subscribers believe that they will receive up to six copies of an app when they were receiving only one.”

To settle this matter quickly, Apple has now agreed to pay out $25 million, of which $10 million will make up the attorney fees. Class members can receive up to $50 from the settlement depending on how many people file a claim (via MacRumors).

Eligibility for Compensation in Apple Family Sharing Lawsuit

U.S. residents who registered in a Family Sharing group that included at least one other person from June 21, 2015, until January 30, 2019, and bought a subscription to an app through the App Store within that time period could be eligible for compensation. Also, the apps should not be first-party Apple apps. The class members who qualify will receive an email next week.

All those who have received the email should inform the Settlement Administrator about the mode of payment in which they would like to receive the Class Payment. Failing to complete this step would mean that they would not receive the compensation.

Every class member who submits a claim is entitled to receive $30; however, the amount could vary based on the number of individuals submitting the claim. Also, the claim amount will be at most $50 for each class member

All the eligible class members have until March 1, 2024, to submit the claim, and the final hearing to approve the claim will be held on April 2, 2024.

If you are not sure whether you are eligible for compensation in the Apple Family Sharing lawsuit, you can visit the official lawsuit website or you can call toll-free 1-866-914-0236 to seek clarification.