Key Highlights
- UK businessman sues Apple for 5 million pounds after deleted iMessages led to divorce
- He claims Apple didn’t inform users that deleting messages on one device doesn’t remove them from all linked devices
- He seeks a class-action lawsuit, arguing Apple’s unclear deletion policy misled users
A businessman from England is suing Apple because his wife discovered “deleted” messages he sent to sex workers on their family iMac. The discovery ultimately led to a painful divorce that cost him over 5 million pounds. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, believed he had permanently deleted the incriminating messages from his iPhone. However, due to synchronization of the family’s devices with the same Apple ID, the messages remained accessible on the iMac. Also Read | Apple Maps Offline Download Guide: Steps You Use Apple Maps Without Internet
Misleading Message Deletion
The man claims Apple didn’t inform users that deleting a message on one device doesn’t remove it from all linked devices. He said, “If you’re told a message is deleted, you should be able to trust it.” The messages revealed by his wife came as a “brutal” shock, causing their marriage to end abruptly. He believes that if the messages had not been discovered in such a manner, a more rational conversation might have saved their relationship.
Legal Action and Class-Action Suit
Now, the businessman is suing Apple for 5 million pounds, asserting that the lack of clarity regarding message deletion led to his mess. He is also seeking to turn his lawsuit into a class-action suit, inviting others who might have faced similar issues to join. His lawyer, Simon Walton, pointed out that Apple has not clearly informed users about what happens to deleted messages, describing the situation as “misleading.”
Apple’s Responsibility
The man argues that Apple should have provided clearer warnings, such as “These messages are deleted on this device” or “These messages are deleted on this device only.” He believes this information would have prevented the misunderstanding. “In my opinion, it’s because Apple told me my messages were deleted when they actually weren’t,” he said.
The Impact Of Synchronization
The businessman used iMessages to communicate with sex workers, thinking he had deleted the evidence from his iPhone. However, due to the synchronization feature, the messages were still on the family’s iMac. This feature, which is usually beneficial, turned into a source of turmoil for him. He now advocates for better user awareness about how synchronization works across Apple devices.
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Seeking Justice
The man’s case highlights the importance of clear communication from tech companies regarding their privacy and security features. He described the divorce as “painful and raw,” suggesting that a more sensible conversation could have been possible if the discovery hadn’t been so abrupt. His legal battle with Apple aims to bring attention to this issue and seek compensation for the significant impact on his personal life. He is eager to hear from other Apple customers who have experienced similar issues and hopes to bring about a change in how such information is conveyed to users.
