In the last quarter of 2017, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook admitted that updates to iOS software of Apple products deliberately slowed down their old batteries to avoid sudden shutdowns of the gadgets due to the technical requirements of the new software. Read the following short articles which provide details on the matter: (http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-apologizes-for-iphone-slowdowns-2017-12 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.) (http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-needs-to-take-responsibility-for-apple-iphone-battery-scandal-2017-12 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.) and Apple’s response to it (https://www.apple.com/iphone-battery-and-performance/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.).
1. Identify and critically evaluate the ethical issue or issues in this case. What ethical dilemma did Apple or Tim Cook face?
2. Based on the response of Apple and Tim Cook, including the acting taken after the admission, how would you characterise or describe the ethical framework used to address the matter?
3. Suppose you were one of the directors or the CEO when this issue arose. How would you have responded? What ethical framework would have been appropriate to protect the company and the other stakeholders?
