Apple recently admitted that it will remotely shut down your iPhone if you use a third party repair service. And now, Apple is facing a class action lawsuit over that issue.
The lawsuit involves the infamous Error 53 controversy. Users have been complaining about a mysterious Error 53 problem since mid-2015. Apple refused to explain the issue until earlier this year, when they explained that the error code was purposely designed to shut down your iPhone if you tried to repair it yourself (or used a third party repair service).
Apple responded by stating that it did this for security: if someone tried to access sensitive data on your iPhone by opening the case or altering certain parts, they wouldn’t be able to access it because the device would shut down and display Error 53.

Most people, however, aren’t falling for that excuse. They saw Apple deliberately implemented Error 53 to push forward its own lucrative warranty programs – like Apple Care – and make sure they have a stranglehold over the Apple hardware repair industry.
So what’s this class action lawsuit about? Should you join it?
The class action lawsuit against Apple was filed this past week in California.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of angry iPhone owners who claimed that Apple’s software update bricked devices after they received Touch ID repairs performed by unauthorized (i.e. non-Apple) people.
US law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (PCVA) is seeking relief for the Error 53 controversy on behalf of all affected iPhone 6 users.
In a statement, that law firm said:
“As is invariably true of power and control, too much of a good thing becomes problematic and, even, abusive. Apple’s Error 53 code…represents Apple’s control over the product gone too far.”
As they say: power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
You can view the full lawsuit document on Scribd.com here.

This is Apple’s Third Class Action Lawsuit This Year

Apple is facing a surprising amount of legal trouble this year.
Immersion, a touch feedback technology developer, filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission against Apple and AT&T claiming that the two companies infringed on Immersion’s patents.
A second complaint was also filed against Apple and AT&T in the US District Court of Delaware.
These lawsuits allege that the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch both violate patents owned by Immersion. Those patents govern haptic feedback systems and haptic feedback methods in electronic devices.
Immersion is filing a request that Apple ceases and desists its sales of the infringing devices in America while also recovering damages.
Ultimately, Apple may have some big legal problems to surmount in the near future. But based on the amount of cash the company has, I don’t think it will be a big problem.