A local MP is calling on transparency concerning software updates that hurt devices.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse has introduced a motion with the Canadian House of Commons calling for hearings after Apple admitted intentionally slowing down the performance of some of its devices with a software update.
The global technology company took criticism after it was revealed that a recent software update deliberately cuts browsing speed. Apple initially said the update was to keep devices from shutting down, but some consumers felt the update was orchestrated to boost demand for Apple's iPhone 8.
Masse tells BlackburnNewsWindsor.com that it's an essential consumer right to expect a product they purchased to function properly.
"You have certain expectations of its performance, and you've been used to it because it's a very intimate object to use for everything from making a phone call to taking pictures," says Masse. "Then all of a sudden its performance for no reason whatsoever has been diminished."
Masse says public safety is compromised because issues with a phone's operating system could make an emergency situation worse. He is asking for these hearings to allow Apple all the time it needs to discuss the situation surrounding the software updates.
"We're asking them to come forward, similar to what the United States, Israel, South Korea and other countries are doing, to ensure that public safety is paramount and that consumer rights are protected," says Masse.
Masse points out that the update in question may leave personal information vulnerable, and that browser speed is crucial on any device given the current 24/7 appetite for news and entertainment. He also believes Canada has become too passive when it comes to consumer issues.
The proposed hearings would not only urge Apple and other technology companies to be more upfront when it comes to the potential risks of software updates for the consumer, but also allow these concerns to be heard in a public forum.
The motion will formally be brought to a parliamentary committee once MPs return to session next month, and Masse is hoping it will gain fast support across party lines.