Apple has been fined nearly $ 2 million in the Brazilian state of São Paulo for violations of the Consumer Law Code due to a lack of a box charger for newer iPhones, the Brazilian news media Tilt reports.
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Procon-SP, the consumer protection agency in São Paulo, has decided to fine Apple following intense scrutiny over the decision to remove the power adapter from iPhone cases. With the iPhone 12, Apple has taken the power adapter out of the box, saying it will reduce carbon emissions and the use of rare earth metals.
In December, the Brazilian agency informed Apple that the sale of an iPhone in the country without a charger in the box is a violation of the Consumer Protection Code. Apple responded to the agency’s concerns by saying that most customers already have spare adapters and that providing another in the box is unnecessary.
Fernando Capez, CEO of Procon-SP, gave Apple a stern warning of the fine, saying it must comply with and understand Brazilian consumer law and institutions. In addition to the lack of a charger, Apple is also fined for misleading customers about the water resistance of iPhones.
Since iPhone 7, iPhones have been water resistant to various specifications. The latest iphone 12 series, for example, is certified for water immersion of up to 6 meters to 30 minutes.
Procon-SP claims that Apple has refused to repair devices for customers who have suffered water damage with their “water-resistant” iPhones, even if they are under warranty. Other charges passed to Apple include claims that they deliberately slow down older phones with iOS updates to encourage customers to purchase newer models.
Apple will have the chance to appeal the $ 2 million fine. I contacted Apple for comments and we will update this article if we hear back.