WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) today sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook expressing concern over recent reports that Apple throttles processor performance for older iPhone models. The letter comes after a briefing with committee staff and Apple.
“In response to concerns over the belated disclosure of its performance-limiting software feature, Apple announced that it would offer battery replacements for out-of-warranty iPhones at a reduced cost and would be issuing an iOS update in early 2018 that will provide users with greater information on their iPhone’s battery performance. However, Apple has indicated to the Committee that, thus far, it is unable to ascertain whether it has taken the necessary steps to ensure that affected consumers will be able to obtain a replacement battery in a timely manner. Apple has also indicated that it has yet to develop policies to protect consumers should it fail to develop alternative methods to prevent instantaneous iPhone shutdowns, other than limiting processor performance, by the time the term of its reduced-cost battery replacement program expires at the end of 2018," Walden, Blackburn, Latta, and Harper wrote.
