Published Date: 2017-12-19
| Postmortem Analysis | |
|---|---|
| Timeline | 1. The software failure incident regarding Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhones due to battery issues happened in December 2017 [66048]. 2. The incident was further highlighted in an article published on December 19, 2017 [66214]. |
| System | 1. Lithium-ion batteries in older iPhone models such as iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and SE [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214] 2. iOS software updates (iOS 10.2.1, iOS 11.2) that intentionally slowed down older iPhones with degraded batteries [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214] |
| Responsible Organization | 1. Apple - Apple intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhone models without users' consent, leading to a software failure incident [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. |
| Impacted Organization | 1. Customers who owned older iPhone models like iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and SE were impacted by the intentional slowing down of their devices by Apple due to battery issues [66001, 76562]. 2. Apple and Samsung were fined by Italy's antitrust watchdog for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of users' phones, impacting consumers who were pushed to buy new devices [76562]. 3. Reddit users who reported performance issues with older iPhones due to degrading batteries were also impacted by the software failure incident [66214]. |
| Software Causes | 1. The software cause of the failure incident was Apple intentionally slowing down the performance of older iPhone models through iOS software updates to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by ageing lithium-ion batteries [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. |
| Non-software Causes | 1. Aging lithium batteries delivering power unevenly, causing iPhones to shut down unexpectedly and endangering delicate circuits inside [66001]. 2. Degrading batteries leading to decreased maximum capacity and current supply, affecting the performance of iPhones [66214]. |
| Impacts | 1. The software failure incident involving Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models without user consent led to significant backlash and outrage from customers, resulting in at least eight class-action lawsuits being filed against Apple in the US [66001]. 2. Italy's antitrust watchdog fined both Apple and Samsung 5 million euros each for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of phones, leading to allegations that the companies failed to provide an effective way for customers to recover the full functionality of their devices, potentially pushing consumers to buy new devices [76562]. 3. The incident caused a debate and reignited discussions about whether Apple intentionally slows down older iPhones through software updates, leading to concerns about transparency, trust, and the perception of planned obsolescence by the company [66048, 66214]. |
| Preventions | 1. Regular monitoring and analysis of performance data: By consistently monitoring performance data, companies like Apple could have detected the issue of older iPhones slowing down due to aging batteries sooner, allowing them to take proactive measures to address the problem [Article 66214]. 2. Transparent communication with customers: Clear and transparent communication with customers regarding software updates and their impact on device performance could have helped manage expectations and prevent backlash from users who felt misled or uninformed [Article 66001, Article 76562, Article 66048, Article 66214]. 3. Thorough testing and validation of software updates: Conducting comprehensive testing and validation of software updates, especially those that may impact device performance, could have revealed the potential issues related to battery degradation and performance slowdowns, enabling companies to make informed decisions before releasing updates to the public [Article 66001, Article 76562, Article 66048, Article 66214]. |
| Fixes | 1. Apple could release a software update that provides more transparency to users about the performance management feature and battery health of their iPhones [66001, 76562]. 2. Apple could offer affordable battery replacements for older iPhone models to address the performance issues caused by aging batteries [66001, 76562]. 3. Apple could improve communication with customers regarding software updates and performance management features to avoid misunderstandings and potential lawsuits [66001, 76562]. 4. Apple could ensure that any performance limitations imposed on older iPhones are clearly communicated to users and are reversible with battery replacements [66214]. 5. Apple could address concerns about planned obsolescence by ensuring that performance management features do not lead users to believe they need to replace their entire device instead of just the battery [66214]. | References | 1. Reddit users [66001, 66048, 66214] 2. Primate Labs [66001, 66048, 66214] 3. Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) [76562] |
| Category | Option | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring | one_organization, multiple_organization | (a) The software failure incident related to Apple slowing down older iPhone models due to aging batteries has happened again within the same organization. Apple admitted to intentionally slowing down the performance of older iPhone models, such as iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and SE, when their batteries are old, cold, or have a low charge to prevent abrupt shutdowns. This incident led to class-action lawsuits being filed against Apple [66001]. Additionally, Apple was fined by Italy's antitrust watchdog for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of phones, which pushed consumers to buy new devices [76562]. (b) The software failure incident of intentionally slowing down older iPhone models due to aging batteries has also happened at other organizations or with their products and services. Italy's antitrust watchdog fined both Apple and Samsung for releasing software updates that slowed down users' phones, leading consumers to buy new devices [76562]. The founder of benchmarking firm Primate Labs analyzed performance data showing that Apple reduces the speed of processors in iPhones with old and worn batteries, making them slower, which reignited the debate over intentional slowing down of older iPhones [66214]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) | design, operation | (a) In the reported software failure incident related to the design phase, it was revealed that Apple intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhone models through software updates to counteract problems in aging lithium-ion batteries. The software updates introduced by Apple, such as iOS 10.2.1 and iOS 11.2, included features that reduced the speed of processors in iPhones with old and worn batteries, making them slower [Article 66214]. (b) Regarding the software failure incident related to the operation phase, it was highlighted that the performance degradation of older iPhones was also influenced by the operation or usage of the devices. As batteries age and lose capacity, they are unable to supply the required current demanded by the phones' processors, leading to unexpected shutdowns to protect the internal components. Users reported that replacing worn batteries alleviated the performance degradation issue, indicating that the operation and battery condition played a significant role in the software failure incident [Article 66001, Article 66214]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) | within_system, outside_system | (a) The software failure incident related to Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models due to aging lithium batteries and releasing software updates to reduce performance originated from within the system. Apple admitted to intentionally slowing down the performance of older iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging lithium batteries [66001, 76562]. The software update introduced by Apple aimed to manage power consumption and prevent abrupt shutdowns by slowing down the devices when necessary [66048]. The data analysis conducted by Primate Labs founder John Poole highlighted how Apple's software reduced the speed of processors in iPhones with old and worn batteries, leading to slower performance [66214]. (b) Contributing factors that originated from outside the system include the aging lithium-ion batteries in the iPhones, which were not directly controlled by Apple but influenced the performance of the devices [66001, 76562]. The Italian antitrust watchdog fined Apple and Samsung for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of phones, indicating external pressure and legal implications on the companies [76562]. Additionally, user reports and Reddit users' observations about the performance differences being due to degrading batteries suggest an external factor affecting the software performance [66214]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) | non-human_actions, human_actions | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions: - The software failure incident related to Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models was due to the aging lithium batteries delivering power unevenly, causing iPhones to shut down unexpectedly to protect internal components [66001]. - An analysis of performance data by benchmarking firm Primate Labs showed that Apple reduced the speed of processors in iPhones with old and worn batteries, making them slower [66214]. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions: - Apple admitted to intentionally slowing down older iPhone models to prevent abrupt shutdowns caused by aging lithium batteries [66001]. - Italy's antitrust watchdog fined Apple and Samsung for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of phones, leading consumers to buy new devices [76562]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) | hardware, software | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware: - The incident of Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models was attributed to the ageing lithium batteries delivering power unevenly, causing iPhones to shut down unexpectedly to protect internal components [66001]. - The performance data analysis by Primate Labs indicated that Apple reduced the speed of processors in iPhones with old and worn batteries, leading to slower performance [66214]. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to software: - Apple admitted to intentionally slowing down older iPhones through software updates to prevent abrupt shutdowns caused by ageing batteries [66001]. - The Italian Competition Authority fined Apple and Samsung for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of phones, leading to customers being pushed to buy new devices [76562]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) | non-malicious | (a) malicious: - The software failure incident related to Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models was not malicious. Apple admitted to slowing down the iPhones to prevent abrupt shutdowns caused by ageing lithium batteries delivering power unevenly [66001]. - The Italian antitrust watchdog fined Apple and Samsung for releasing software updates that significantly reduced the performance of phones, but there was no indication of malicious intent in the article [76562]. (b) non-malicious: - The software failure incident involving Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhones was non-malicious as it was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns due to ageing batteries [66001]. - The analysis of performance data reignited the debate over whether Apple intentionally slows down older iPhones, with the data suggesting that Apple reduces the speed of processors in iPhones with old and worn batteries, making them slower [66214]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) | poor_decisions | (a) poor_decisions: Failure due to contributing factors introduced by poor decisions (b) accidental_decisions: Failure due to contributing factors introduced by mistakes or unintended decisions The software failure incident related to intentional slowing down of older iPhones by Apple falls under the category of poor_decisions. Apple intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging lithium-ion batteries. This intentional decision led to customer dissatisfaction, lawsuits, and fines imposed by regulatory authorities [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) | unknown | (a) The software failure incident occurring due to development_incompetence: - The incident of Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models was due to the company's decision to limit performance when battery condition decreases past a certain point, which was introduced as a change in the software [Article 66214]. - Apple admitted to slowing down the performance of older iPhones to prevent abrupt shutdowns caused by ageing lithium batteries delivering power unevenly, endangering the delicate circuits inside [Article 66001]. (b) The software failure incident occurring accidentally: - The incident of Apple intentionally slowing down older iPhone models was not accidental but a deliberate decision by the company to manage battery-related issues [Article 66214]. - Apple acknowledged that its iOS software slows down the performance of older iPhones to counteract problems in aging lithium-ion batteries, which was a deliberate software feature introduced by Apple [Article 76562]. |
| Duration | temporary | (a) The software failure incident in the articles is considered temporary. This is because the performance slowdown of older iPhones was due to the intentional software update by Apple to counteract problems in aging lithium-ion batteries. The slowdown was not a permanent issue but rather a deliberate measure taken by Apple to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by degraded batteries [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. |
| Behaviour | omission, other | (a) crash: The software failure incident in the articles does not specifically mention a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. (b) omission: The software failure incident involves a form of omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). Apple intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhones with aging batteries to prevent unexpected shutdowns, which resulted in the phones not performing at their maximum speed [66001, 76562, 66214]. (c) timing: The software failure incident does not involve a timing issue where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early. (d) value: The software failure incident does not involve a value issue where the system performs its intended functions incorrectly. (e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit a byzantine behavior where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. (f) other: The software failure incident involves a deliberate slowdown of performance by the system to manage battery issues, which could be categorized as a form of intentional performance manipulation not covered by the options provided [66001, 76562, 66214]. |
| Layer | Option | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Perception | None | None |
| Communication | None | None |
| Application | None | None |
| Category | Option | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Consequence | harm, property, theoretical_consequence | The consequence of the software failure incident described in the articles is mainly categorized as 'harm' and 'property': - Harm: The software failure incident resulted in harm to users as their older iPhones experienced reduced performance due to the intentional slowing down of processors by Apple to counteract problems in aging lithium-ion batteries [Article 66001]. - Property: Users' material goods, in this case, their iPhones, were impacted by the software failure as their devices were intentionally slowed down without their consent, leading to performance issues and potential dissatisfaction with the product [Article 66001]. Additionally, there were discussions and potential consequences related to the software failure incident: - Theoretical_consequence: There were discussions about potential consequences such as users being misled to believe their phones needed replacement due to performance issues rather than just a battery replacement, contributing to the narrative of planned obsolescence [Article 66214]. |
| Domain | information, manufacturing, knowledge | (a) The software failure incident reported in the articles is related to the industry of information, specifically in the context of smartphone technology and battery performance affecting the overall user experience of older iPhone models [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. (b) The transportation industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (c) The natural resources industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (d) The sales industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (e) The construction industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (f) The manufacturing industry is indirectly related to the software failure incident as it involves the creation of smartphones and their components, which were affected by the software update slowing down older iPhone models [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. (g) The utilities industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (h) The finance industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (i) The knowledge industry is indirectly related to the software failure incident as it involves the use of benchmarking software and data analysis to identify the performance degradation in older iPhones due to battery issues [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. (j) The health industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (k) The entertainment industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (l) The government industry is not directly related to the software failure incident discussed in the articles. (m) The software failure incident is related to the technology industry, specifically the smartphone sector, and the impact of software updates on device performance and battery management [66001, 76562, 66048, 66214]. |
Article ID: 66001
Article ID: 76562
Article ID: 66048
Article ID: 66214