Tech firms must respect users' rights

APPLE ADMITTED ON WEDNESDAY that it slows down older models of the iPhone as they age via updates to the operating system, claiming it did so in order to "prolong the life" of the devices and maximize diminishing battery power. Beijing News comments:

According to Apple's announcement, the company limits the processing speed of older models of iPhones purely in the interests of users - that's a rather altruistic motive.

The problem is its announcement shows it has total disrespect for users' rights. When an iPhone is sold it becomes the buyer's property, over which he or she has full rights. Even if measures are needed to prolong an older generation iPhones' operational life, it depends on the users' choice in deciding what to do. Apple has no right to make that decision for users.