Apple is facing a class action lawsuit over assertions that its two-factor authentication (2FA) procedure is too disruptive, and poses far too long of an ordeal for users to go through.
Californian man Jay Brodsky has alleged Apple locks users into using 2FA without seeking proper and explicit consent, and says the process as a whole is far too demanding.
He has therefore taken the extraordinary step of filing a lawsuit that seeks 'class action' status, which in the US justice system means allegations made conventionally on behalf of a wide number of individuals.
Brodsky alleges he must first enter his selected password on the device he wants to login to, before entering the password on another independent 'trusted' device.
"Third, optionally, Plaintiff has to select a Trust or Don't Trust pop-up message response," the complaint continues.
"Fourth, Plaintiff then has to wait to receive a six-digit verification code on that second device that is sent by an Apple Server on the internet. Finally, Plaintiff has to input the received six-digit verification code on the first device he is trying to log into. Each login process takes an additional estimated 2-5 or more minutes with 2FA."
The complaint continues to accuse Apple of forcibly implemented 2FA across Brodksy's iPhone and two MacBooks in 2015, without his knowledge or consent. The firm also "forces Plaintiff to use 2FA that requires additional login steps each time Plaintiff's Apple device is powered on" as well as when logging into Apple services, and using third-party apps.
Crucially, once 2FA is enabled by default, through a software update or accidentally, and 14 days have lapsed, there is no mechanism to disable the additional security checks. This "imposes an extraneous logging in procedure" because a user must both remember a password, and have access to a trusted device to receive the six-digit code.
There are five counts which comprise the lawsuit, including trespass to personal property and a violation of the Computer Crime Law. Brodsky's complaint also demands the case be taken to a trial by jury.
The suit, furthermore, demands penalties be applied in accordance with the Computer Fruad and Abuse Act, and that all revenues Apple has "unjustly received as a result of its actions" rightfully belong to those bringing the action.
The scale of this lawsuit, however, pales in comparison to the ongoing legal wrangling between Apple and Qualcomm.
It emerged last month that Apple demanded $1 billion as an 'incentive payment' in 2011, according to testimony from Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkempf, when the chipmaker sought to be the sole supplier of modem chips for Apple's iPhone range.
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