Apple hit with lawsuit over iOS 9's Wi-Fi Assist

The Wi-Fi Assist feature found in iOS 9 has caught some people unawares, and many have complained that they have been landed with large bills due to increased data usage. Two individuals have filed a class action lawsuit in California against Apple, alleging that the company failed to properly explain how Wi-Fi Assist works.

While Wi-Fi Assist can be disabled, the plaintiffs say that Apple should reimburse anyone who found they were pushed over their data usage limits. The company now needs to defend itself against charges of violating Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and negligent misrepresentation. Apple is also accused of downplaying the risk of exceeding data limits.

Apple failed to explain to people just how Wi-Fi Assist works, at least until there has been a number of complaints. A support page now explains that the feature will "automatically switch to cellular when you have a poor Wi-Fi connection", and reveals that it is enabled by default. But the complainants say that this is a case of too little, too late.

Apple Insider reports that the suit says:

Defendant's above corrective action, however, still downplays the possible data overcharges a user could incur. Reasonable and average consumers use their iPhones for streaming of music, videos, and running various applications -- all of which can use significant data. Defendant's corrective statement does not disclose any basis for its conclusion that an average consumer would not see much increase in cellular usage.

A number of critics of Apple have said it would have been preferable for Wi-Fi Assist to be switched off by default so that it would only be activated by more knowledgeable users.

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