Apple Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Delayed Apple Intelligence Features

Tech giant Apple is once again in the legal spotlight as a class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose accuses the company of false advertising and unfair competition related to its highly touted Apple Intelligence features.

The suit, lodged on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, claims that Apple misled consumers by promoting artificial intelligence (AI) enhancements particularly an advanced version of Sirithat have y et to materialize, despite aggressive marketing campaigns tied to the iPhone 16 launch.

Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024, promising a suite of AI-driven tools designed to enhance user experience across its ecosystem of devices.

Features such as a more personalized Siri with contextual awareness, Image Playground for AI-generated images, and Genmoji were heavily advertised as key selling points for the iPhone 16 and other compatible devices.

However, the company recently confirmed that some of these advanced capabilities, including the upgraded Siri, will not be available until 2026 well after the initial release timeline suggested by its marketing.

Consumers Claim Misleading Ads Fueled iPhone 16 Sales

The plaintiffs argue that Apple’s advertisements, which “saturated the internet, television, and other airwaves,” cultivated a reasonable expectation among consumers that these “transformative features” would be available upon the iPhone 16’s release in September 2024.

According to the complaint, “Contrary to defendant’s claims of advanced AI capabilities, the products offered a significantly limited or entirely absent version of Apple Intelligence, misleading consumers about its actual utility and performance.”

The lawsuit further alleges that Apple continued promoting these features even after it became clear they would not meet the advertised timeline, driving “unprecedented excitement” and encouraging upgrades at premium price points.

One specific point of contention is an advertisement featuring actor Bella Ramsey, which showcased Siri’s promised contextual abilities—capabilities that remain unavailable.

Although Apple pulled the ad from YouTube and added disclaimers to its website following the delay announcement, the plaintiffs assert that the damage was already done, with millions of consumers purchasing devices under false pretenses.

Siri’s Promised Upgrade at Heart of Legal Battle

The lawsuit seeks class-action status and unspecified damages for individuals who bought Apple Intelligence-capable devices, including the latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs, expecting the full suite of advertised AI features.

Filed by Clarkson Law Firm the same group that previously sued Google and OpenAI over AI-related practices the case highlights growing scrutiny of Apple’s ability to deliver on its ambitious promises in the competitive AI landscape.

Apple has faced criticism for lagging behind rivals like Google and Microsoft, whose AI offerings are already widely deployed. The delay in Apple Intelligence, initially slated for a broader rollout with iOS 18 in 2024, has fueled speculation about internal challenges.

Reports suggest that CEO Tim Cook has expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of Siri’s AI development, leading to leadership changes within the company’s AI division. Some insiders, according to Bloomberg, even speculate that the delayed features might be scrapped entirely in favor of a rebuilt system.

For now, Apple maintains that its phased rollout reflects a commitment to quality over haste. The company has released some Apple Intelligence features, such as writing tools and notification summaries, with iOS 18.1 and 18.2 updates in late 2024.

However, the more advanced Siri enhancements, which require integration with personal context and cross-app functionality, remain in limbo. Apple has not yet responded directly to the lawsuit but is expected to contest the allegations vigorously.

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