Exploding iPod owner hit with Apple gagging order

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 3 Aug 2009 at 08:20

Apple allegedly attempted to impose a gagging order on a 11-year-old girl and her father, after her iPod touch exploded.

The iPod reportedly exploded after 47-year-old Ken Stanborough from Liverpool dropped his daughter's device.

"It made a hissing noise," he told The Times. "I could feel it getting hotter in my hand, and I thought I could see vapour".

Mr Stanborough then threw the device into his garden, and "within 30 seconds there was a pop, a big puff of smoke and it went 10ft in the air".

Mr Stanborough reported the matter to Apple's customer services department, which sent him a letter offering a full refund.

However, the letter stated that by accepting the refund, Mr Stanborough would "agree that you will keep the terms and existence of this settlement agreement completely confidential". The letter warned Mr Stanborough that he could face a claim for damages and legal expenses if he broke the confidentiality agreement.

Mr Stanborough refused to sign the agreement. "They're putting a life sentence on myself, my daughter and Ellie's mum, not to say anything to anyone," he told the newspaper. "If we inadvertently did say anything, no matter what, they would take litigation against us. I thought that was absolutely appalling.

"We didn't ask for compensation, we just asked for our money back," he added.

Reports last month claimed that Apple had recalled some iPod nano devices sold in Korea, following reports of the battery overheating.