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The Antimonopoly Office fined Apple 10 million euros for misleading advertising about water resistance of iPhones
Maximum fine for Apple on allegations of misleading advertising for iPhones. The Italian Antimonopoly Office imposed a total fine of EUR 10 million on Apple Distribution International and Apple Italia Srl for two separate commercial practices considered unfair.
The first practice contested by the Antimonopoly Office concerns promotional messages of various iPhone models presented as waterproof, without explaining that this feature only occurs under certain laboratory conditions and that the warranty does not cover damage caused by fluids in normal use by the user. The second practice concerns after-sales service: the Antimonopoly Office has found refusal to repair iPhones sold as waterproof when damaged by water or other liquids as “aggressive commercial practice”.
Which iPhones are waterproof?
There are several iPhones Apple marketed as waterproof to a depth of 4 meters to 1 meter, depending on the model, and up to 30 minutes. In particular, it is about the antitrust scrutiny of iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11pro and iPhone 11 pro Max.
The Antimonopoly Authority fines Apple: reasons
After some consumers complained that their iPhones were damaged by water or other liquids, despite meeting Apple’s specifications, the Antimonopoly Office launched an investigation that led to a heavy UTP fine.
The Consumer Observer explains: “The communications did not make it clear that this property can only be found under specific conditions, such as special and controlled laboratory tests with static and clean water, and not under normal consumer use conditions.”
The Antimonopoly Office also points out that the disclaimer “the warranty does not cover damage caused by liquids” is in fact misleading because “it may mislead consumers by not explaining what type of warranty it relates to (conventional or legal warranty), nor was it found capable of adequately contextualizing the conditions and limitations of any water-resistance claims pursued. “
Another commercial practice challenged by the Antimonopoly Office against Apple concerns the after-sales phase. In particular, the Cupertino-based company’s refusal to provide warranty services for iPhones damaged as a result of contact with water or other liquids was considered an “aggressive commercial practice” that prevented “consumers from exercising their rights recognized by warranty law, i.e. the Consumer Code. “.
Antitrust: Measures Against Apple
Two reasons prompted the Antimonopoly Office to impose a fine of EUR 10 million on two companies Apple Distribution International and Apple Italia Srl, as well as the commitment of the Cupertino company to publish an extract of this measure on its website in the “Information on consumer protection” tab “.
Is iPhone 12 waterproof?
Many people now wonder if the iPhone 12 is actually splash, water, and dust resistant as advertised by Apple, but the company notes that these characteristics decline over time from normal wear and tear.
According to the company’s website, on the Water, Splash, and Dust Resistance Information page for iPhone 7 and Later, all four iPhones 12s, including the mini, Pro, and Pro Max versions, are certified IP68, which means they can withstand immersion to a depth of 6 meters for a maximum of 30 minutes.
The site also states that these models “are resistant to the accidental spill of common liquids such as carbonated soft drinks, beer, coffee, tea and juice”. These are all features that are also associated with other iPhone models, including those that have been targeted by the Antitrust Authority, leading to a massive fine for Apple.
