AT&T and Apple Fight Over Data Leakage in iOS 6

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Posted May 31, 2013 at 1:57am by iClarified

AT&T and Apple have been pointing fingers at each other ever since the release of iOS 6 regarding the unusual amount of data that some devices are using, reports Forbes. Many support threads have popped up on Apple's own forum -- with some reaching over 100,000 views.

Apple quickly released a carrier update for Verizon which seemed to fix the issue, however AT&T customers have been left in the dark.

AT&T points the finger at Apple, instructing customers to turn off cellular data for all system services, and often credits the customer. Apple on the other hand has yet to acknowledge the issue even exists.

When contacted by Forbes' Steven Rosenbaum, an Apple senior advisor had this to say:

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Hello Steven,

"I have reviewed your message regarding the data usage. What I have researched about this issue is the data usage from your iPhone can be high and I understand that a plan with data can be costly. But my input about that is if you can be ok or are able to better manage the data usage the iPhone has, that is great. However, if you feel it is best to change in order to keep a handle on the data your phone uses, that’s ok. I am glad to help you with this issue in any way I can.

Sincerely, ~ Rob Armstrong
 Apple iOS Senior Advisor
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AT&T's official response to the problem is even less helpful:

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Hi Steve,

We appreciate your feedback and have taken it to heart. While your situation appears to be an anomaly we always want our customers to have the best experience possible, and we’re working every day to make our customer experience even better.

Mark Siegel AT&T spokesman
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It appears as though the companies have been blaming each other for the problem while customers are stuck footing the bill. According to Forbes, the situation has reached the point where customers are contacting the FCC who is investing the allegations.

However, there does appear to be a ray of hope, Forbes now says there are rumblings of a high level meeting between the companies to address the issue.

Let us know in the comments if you are experiencing this issue and what Apple or AT&T has told you about it.

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AT&T and Apple Fight Over Data Leakage in iOS 6

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Mark Chambers - September 19, 2013 at 7:00pm

I'm in Germany using Telekom. I had an iPhone 5, now have a 4S. Using both phones with iOS 6, I have reached my data limit of 300MB within a few days of a new billing cycle—not less than 3 times. No videos, no streaming audio, no app updates over cellular... In every situation it was the same: I used the Maps navigation feature, I ended the navigation, and thereafter, my phone overheated while locked and without anything running (that I knew of), and later, sometime in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, I got a message that I had reached my data limit. So, I've attributed my data leakage to Maps, and specifically when using navigation. Can anyone else confirm this pattern?

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YesmeTOO - September 4, 2013 at 7:19pm

Absolutely - after switching my iPhone 3GS to IOS 6 and on two new iPhone 5's as well. The same thing: middle of the night data, no matter what is turned on or off...tripling or quadrupling the supposed data usage per person, with huge overage fees on AT&T. Now everything on the phones is turned off....we're back in the dark ages. And locked into these contracts.

RH - June 7, 2013 at 3:41pm

I am having this problem. Since I upgrade from a 4S to 5, AT&T has been charging me with excess data charges every month. Seems that even when I am on my home's WiFi, i am getting charged for AT&T's internet service (double charge). Never had that problem with the 4S. I have been working with AT&T's technical department and they claim they never heard of a data leakage problem. I told them to read about it on the Internet. The only solution they have is to manually turn off the AT&T service when you arrive at home. That's it folks - we just took a hugh step backwards...

MCTex - June 5, 2013 at 4:43pm

We're having this problem currently. One of our phones uses very large amounts of data at night. Apples solution was to turn off cellular data, which translates to why have a smart phone (HELLO Apple). We've had it with that last few Apple OS updates on one of our phones, the other is fine. Our contract is up and since Apple and AT&T don't seem to be able to get this resolved we will probably change to another phone and/or provider.

WeirdDataLeakage - June 1, 2013 at 3:51am

Some satellite-data companies, like WildBlue, have something called "LNFZ" or "Late Night Free Zone". During this time, there are free, unmetered upload and download usage from satellites in space. This unmetered time is between 12 midnight - 5 a.m. every night. If iOS is programmed to push or pull data late at night, maybe Apple and the carriers can negotiate a LNFZ window similar to what WildBlue does for their customers.

WeirdDataLeakage - June 1, 2013 at 3:48am

You'd think that AT&T would perform due dillegence, and not count data transfer to Apple servers. Likely it's iCloud syncing your data, or perhaps downloading a iOS update. Who knows. All I know is that my iPhone works fine, and if I go over data, I still get email, which is all I *really* need. If your looking to switch, consider SimpleMobile. It's $20 less than TMobile for the same service. At $50 a month, you get unlimited everything, including data. SimpleMobile uses TMobile service and towers. I got my phone unlocked on eBay for under $5.00. It's prepaid so if by some chance it doesn't work for you, your not in a long-term contract.

mike - May 31, 2013 at 2:51pm

I have Tmobile iphone 5 and noticed same thing on my data usage. At one point I had 273 mbs at 6am.

Solomon - May 31, 2013 at 1:36pm

I used almost three times the data with my iPhone 5. Than I did with my I Phone 4 with AT&T.

JSON - May 31, 2013 at 12:38pm

I have had iPhone since the first one. The change from 2G to 3G to now LTE is really the only increas eI have seen. The higher the speed, more data I was able to use. But since I don't tether quite often, my data usage has remained the same in the last 2 years to under 5Gb (2-3Gb). I'm on a nother carrier, I'd have to guess that AT&T is the issue, as we are talking about billing. Garbage in, garbage out... if your network does not properly compile the call records, you won't have an accurate bill. What if some AT&T user across the country were to use modems to send precisely 100mb of data, and compare their bill?

Anthony L - May 31, 2013 at 12:05pm

Ever since I got my iPhone and I upgraded to ios6 I have noticed my data usage has gone from me using on the regular 3 gigs at the most for the past year and half to using 10GB to almost using 20GB sometimes which seems outrageous

Jon - May 31, 2013 at 10:51am

Definitely an Apple issue, I know a few people that have had ridiculous amounts of data usage all using different providers and different iPhones models. It has to be a glitch in the iOS. Just like Apple to ignore issues that exist on their devices... iPhone 5 speaker and wake/sleep button failure, greyed out wifi in iOS, MacBook 2010/2012 hard drive cables failing, just to list a few.

angel_92701 - May 31, 2013 at 7:20am

I don't get it. how can somebody use over 10.6 gigs. when att limits.or cap speed after 5 gigs on LTE and 3 on 4g. after that i'll take day to reach top 10.6 gigs a year over 2g speeds. CORRECT ME if i'm wrong. time to time i reset my data usage on the iPhone. and even on wifi still waste some cell data. dont know why. does somebody noticed or seen this.

angel_92701 - May 31, 2013 at 7:21am

Correction..on UNLIMITED data plan.

m_thoroughbred - June 1, 2013 at 9:44pm

Stop making stuff up. If you're are on att and have unlimited data as I do you will get throttle at 5gb on LTE and 3gb on 3G. So there is no way for you to reach the amount of data you claim to be using. But I see what you're trying to do TROLL.

GRUP - May 31, 2013 at 4:37am

AT&T SERVICE is expensive and suck and apple with sucks with their update

Jayson - May 31, 2013 at 4:06am

Glad I got the old unlimited data plan for $30 dollars

Sam - May 31, 2013 at 3:45am

If you want to move to T-mobile from AT&T like then do what I did just unlock your phone. pelicanunlocks.com I got mine free

G4SHi - May 31, 2013 at 3:43am

ITS ACTUALLY BOTH OF THEIR FAULTS BECAUSE AT&T SUCKS & IS GREEDY WITH THEIR DATA PLANS AND ITS ALSO APPLES FAULT BECAUSE ITS THEIR DEVICE!

Zanka - May 31, 2013 at 2:41am

Cydia: auto3g. Work on 6.1.2

Me - May 31, 2013 at 6:09am

Thats old tweak dude! are you using an Iphone 3 or Iphone 4 still?

Stay_Metal420 - May 31, 2013 at 2:36am

That 0.2GB looks a little suspicious anyone else think so? Maybe it's just the way I think. xD

Jake - May 31, 2013 at 2:21am

Definitely apple's fault. Att wasn't the only carrier with this issue

Saul - May 31, 2013 at 2:18am

What do you expect it's AT&T that service sucks.

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