Per recent news, Apple could owe you money following the settlement of a class-action lawsuit regarding the Family Sharing feature. The suit, known as Walter Peters v. Apple, was settled for $25 million, potentially entitling individuals to a payout of up to $30. Family Sharing is an App Store feature that allows purchased apps to be shared with up to six family members.
Apple forced app developers to include ads for Family Sharing on their apps’ landing pages
If family members consent to being part of the Family Sharing program, when any family member purchases an app that supports Family Sharing from the App Store, the app is downloaded on the devices of the other family members, requiring only one payment. The complaint noted that “Apple places and/or demands that its software developers place a small advertisement on the landing pages for its apps which states that the app supports Family Sharing.”
Apple included this logo on the landing pages of apps that didn’t support Family Sharing
Until January 30, 2019, Apple included an advertisement on each app’s landing page that said, “Supports Family Sharing. With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app,” despite many apps not supporting the feature. The complaint alleges that this was misleading to consumers.
If you haven’t been notified but believe you are eligible for your share of the settlement, here is how you file a claim
If you signed up for Family Sharing between June 21st, 2015, and January 30th, 2019, with at least one other person and purchased a third-party app, you are eligible to make a claim. Those who are eligible will receive an email with details about the settlement. But if you don’t receive any notification and believe that you are eligible to make a claim, you can register by heading to the settlement website by tapping this link. The deadline to opt into the settlement is March 1st, 2024.
Depending on the number of legitimate claims received, each participant agreeing to the settlement could find themselves as much as $30 richer. The final approval hearing will take place on April 2nd, 2024. Members of the class can decide in advance whether to have their percentage of the settlement sent to them via electronic bank transfer or by check.
