Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Delayed AI Features in iPhone 16

Apple is under fire as a federal class action lawsuit has been filed against the tech giant, accusing it of misleading consumers over the delayed rollout of its highly anticipated "Apple Intelligence" features.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in San Jose on March 19, alleges that Apple knowingly promoted AI-powered capabilities, including an enhanced Siri, to boost sales of the iPhone 16 series, despite being aware that these features would not be available at launch.

The legal filing claims Apple engaged in a "pervasive marketing campaign built on a lie," deceiving millions of consumers into purchasing devices based on non-existent features.

The plaintiffs argue that Apple’s actions violated multiple false advertising and consumer protection laws. The lawsuit also references an ad featuring actress Bella Ramsey promoting Siri’s personalization upgrades—features that remain unavailable to iPhone 16 users. The ad has since been removed.

Apple recently announced that some of the promised Apple Intelligence features, including significant Siri enhancements, will be delayed until 2026.

This announcement has reportedly caused internal turmoil at the company, leading to leadership shakeups in its AI division as CEO Tim Cook attempts to manage the fallout.

The lawsuit further alleges that Apple only acknowledged the delays under mounting pressure from consumers and industry scrutiny. It seeks injunctive relief to prevent Apple from continuing what it describes as deceptive practices and demands monetary damages to compensate customers for what it calls a "mirage of innovation."

The controversy has reignited debates about corporate accountability in the tech industry, particularly regarding advertising practices for unreleased features.

Consumer advocacy groups have called for stricter regulatory oversight to ensure companies do not exploit consumer trust by prematurely marketing incomplete or unavailable technologies.

Apple has yet to comment on the lawsuit, but the case could have significant implications for how tech companies promote their products and manage customer expectations.

As legal proceedings unfold, the outcome may set a precedent for future disputes over product marketing and delivery in the competitive technology sector.