Apple is currently facing a class-action lawsuit alleging false advertising and unfair competition related to delays in its Apple Intelligence features, particularly the anticipated enhancements to Siri. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in San Jose, claims that Apple misled consumers by promoting AI capabilities that were not available at the time of the iPhone 16's release.
At the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduced "Apple Intelligence," a suite of AI-powered features designed to enhance user experience across its devices. A cornerstone of this initiative was a more personalized and context-aware Siri, leveraging advanced AI to provide tailored responses and actions. However, despite these announcements, the rollout of these features has been significantly delayed, with the upgraded Siri still not operational as of March 2025.
The plaintiffs argue that Apple's marketing campaigns created substantial consumer interest, leading many to purchase the iPhone 16 with the expectation of utilizing these advanced AI features. The lawsuit asserts that Apple's promotion of these capabilities, knowing they were not yet functional, constitutes false advertising and unfair competition.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for consumers who purchased Apple Intelligence-capable devices under the impression that the advertised features would be available. Apple has not yet publicly responded to these allegations.
This legal action underscores the challenges tech companies face when aligning ambitious AI developments with consumer expectations and marketing strategies.