Apple is being sued after the newest iOS update it released–iOS9–led to some users racking up giant data charges. The plaintiffs are arguing that Apple should have done a better job warning users that the update could lead to higher bills.

The lawsuit was filed by a California couple, William Scott Phillips and Suzanne Schmidt Phillips specifically, but is a class action suit. The lawsuit alleges that Apple violated California’s Unfair Competition Law, and the state’s False Advertising law. It’s a $5 million lawsuit because of the amount of people who may have been affected. While that payout is a pretty small amount compared to Apple’s overall wealth, it’s still symbolic of the fact that a lot of people are really upset about this new feature.

The feature that’s causing so many problems is called WiFi Assist. The idea itself seems helpful–it switches your iPhone or iPad from Wi-Fi to cellular data if it determines that the WiFi network you’re on is not reliable. The issue is that by doing so, it caused some users to go over their allotted amounts of data. This was particularly disturbing for customers who didn’t realize that the feature existed, or didn’t realize when they were being switched from WiFi to data. Additionally, according to the lawsuit, Apple only warned customers and instructed them how to turn the feature off after a flood of publicity criticizing the the new feature.

However, there is some disagreement over whether or not it’s actually WiFi Assist that’s causing a data drain for some customers. Some tech writers have made the observation that individuals could just have bad settings that are draining data from their phones. As Karissa Bell from Mashable put it:

Yes, it’s true WI-Fi Assist will prioritize your data connection over Wi-Fi in some situations. But the reality is it’s extremely unlikely that this setting is what’s causing you to blow through your data cap.

If you’re going over your data limit, it’s more likely because of bad settings — not WiFI-Assist.

She points out that you need to prioritize which apps are ok to use over a cellular connection–like Maps, and Gmail, and which ones you want to save for when you have a good WiFi connection, like Netflix or various social media sites. Additionally, Aaron Brow, of the Daily Express, pointed out that there are other culprits that lead to quick data loss as well, such as background refresh.

Apple has yet to comment on the lawsuit, although given all the hubbub over the WiFi Assist feature, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. But if you’re worried about your data use it’s wise to play around with your data settings to make sure that you haven’t enabled any draining features.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Apple Sued Over Data-Draining “WiFi Assist” Feature appeared first on Law Street.

Kim Davis, the clerk who has now gained national notoriety from her refusal to issue marriage licenses to anyone in Rowan County, Kentucky, is in quite a bit of trouble. After her refusal to do her job in the name of protesting the legalization of gay marriage, she was put in jail. But if Davis is looking for crowdsourced help to get her out of that trouble, and the possible fines she may face moving forward, she’s going to have some issues. One of the biggest crowd-funding sites–Go Fund Me–has updated its policies to make it impossible for her to set up a fundraiser.

GoFundMe’s New Policy Prevents Conservatives From Raising Cash For Kim Davis http://t.co/KYWrwX2YgF pic.twitter.com/Obhk1d28dK

— Lnonblonde (@Lnonblonde) September 4, 2015

Go Fund Me has traditionally been a tool for good. Many use it to raise money for those suffering from a debilitating illness or for some other worthy cause. But many Go Fund Me campaigns have also led to plenty of controversy. For example, fellow Law Streeter Taelor Bentley recently wrote an article on how Dylann Roof’s sister attempted to use Go Fund Me to raise money for her dream wedding.

But, that probably won’t be the case for Davis. When another controversial Go Fund Me made the news–a couple whose bakery was fined $135,000 for refusing to bake a cake for a gay couple–Go Fund Me cancelled it. The company then updated its policies. According to its terms and conditions, Go Fund Me will not allow “campaigns in defense of formal charges or claims of heinous crimes, violent, hateful, sexual or discriminatory acts.”

Go Fund Me has been consistent with this policy. When supporters tried to raise money for the legal fees of the police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, a Go Fund Me spokeswoman elaborated on the policy to the Baltimore Sun, stating:

GoFundMe cannot be used to benefit those who are charged with serious violations of the law. The campaign clearly stated that the money raised would be used to assist the officers with their legal fees, which is a direct violation of GoFundMe’s terms. Specifically, ‘campaigns in defense of formal charges or claims of heinous crimes, violent, hateful, sexual or discriminatory acts’ are not permitted on GoFundMe.

So, Davis probably won’t be able to crowdsource her potential fines, as well as some most likely hefty legal fees, at least not by using Go Fund Me. That doesn’t mean she is without supporters. For example, there was a rally full of Davis supporters at the Carter County Detention Center earlier today. Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is also holding a rally in support of Davis. But, you probably won’t be seeing any invitations to “fund” her pop up anytime soon.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post No Kim Davis: We Won’t “Go Fund You” appeared first on Law Street.