It just works, until it doesn't. Inside Apple's planned obsolescence - Michael West Media
michaelwest.com.au
Apple was fined over deliberately slowing older iPhones in 2017 — so why do courts and fans still treat planned obsolescence as a conspiracy theory?
Planned ObsolescencePrincipal-Agent ProblemRegulatory CaptureConsumer Choice Theory
Theory Briefing
- Apple faced legal action in 2017 over software updates that slowed older iPhones, giving planned obsolescence a rare day in court.
- Fans routinely dismiss the idea that devices are engineered to fail on schedule, even as lawsuits suggest otherwise.
- The tension between brand loyalty and documented corporate behaviour shows how trust can outlast the evidence against it.
- Courts treating the issue with only partial seriousness leaves consumers without a clear verdict or meaningful protection.