Apple settles for 49 million euros after claiming controversial butterfly keyboard

Apple has agreed to pay approximately $49 million to customers who purchased a MacBook with a butterfly keyboard. Those affected from some American states can expect an estimated compensation of up to 386 euros.

The class action lawsuit was filed against Apple over the controversial butterfly keyboard, a key technique that the prosecutors said was too fragile and could therefore quickly break. Apple would have known this and deliberately withheld it.

In addition, Apple’s repair program would have acted inadequately by replacing vulnerable butterfly keyboards with the same keyboard technology, which did not solve future problems. Apple settles in the case, which does not mean that a judge has actually found the company guilty. A settlement is technically not the same as pleading guilty.

Customers in the states of California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Washington who purchased a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with a butterfly keyboard between 2015 and 2019 may be eligible for compensation. The amount depends on the situation and the number of victims eligible for compensation. It is estimated that someone who has only had the keycaps or a single keyboard replaced will receive 49 and 122 euros respectively. The maximum estimated compensation per individual is approximately 386 euros and applies to victims who have had to replace a butterfly keyboard several times.

It is not known how many victims in the seven US states can claim the settlement fund of 49 million euros. In addition, approximately 14.6 million euros will be deducted from the total amount to pay the law firms involved, so reports Reuters.

The traditional MacBook switches on the left and the controversial butterfly variant on the right