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Apple included in far-reaching class-action lawsuit against Intel and ARM over security problems

Published Jan 15th, 2018 7:08PM EST
Class Action Suit Intel

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I get that class action suits targeting Apple are pretty hot right now, given the whole iPhone slowdown debacle. But that probably doesn’t mean that Apple should also be hit with class action suits over the recently discovered Meltdown and Spectre security issues that affect most Intel, ARM, and AMD chips.

However, a planned class action suit in Israel has Apple as a co-defendant, right next to Intel and ARM.

According to Hamodia, a group of users filed a request with the Haifa District Court in Israel to file a class action against these three companies. The group is represented by attorney Rimon Zinati and includes computer and cellphone users.

Zinati said in the complaint that “something new has appeared on the tech landscape. Our worst nightmares have come to pass, and a giant tech bubble has burst. That this is an earthquake is an understatement. Since the announcement by the companies of the vulnerabilities of their products, we realize that we are living in a fantasy world and now realize that we do not even have a minimum of privacy.”

Oh. My. God. Run for the hills!

Don’t get me wrong, people are probably right to sue companies all they want. Apple should face all the iPhone slowdown trials it can handle. Cases against Intel, AMD and ARM aren’t warrantless either, as the products these companies sell should make sure that computers of any size and type can be hacked by anyone because of design flaws.

But why is Apple included in this particular suit? And if Apple should be added, doesn’t the same thing go for Microsoft, Google, Linux, and every other company that sells products with Intel, AMD, and ARM inside?

The Israeli court will decide on the matter in the coming weeks.

According to Patently Apple, Intel has been hit with some other class action suits.

Before you file your own class actions suits, make sure you install the latest software updates on your devices, if available.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.