Apple Fined $2 Million in Brazil for Selling iPhones Without Chargers

[Zanc]

Apple has been slapped with a near $2 million fine in the Brazilian state of São Paulo over violations of the Consumer Law Code due to the lack of a charger in the box for newer iPhones, Brazilian tech news outlet Tilt reports.

Procon-SP, São Paulo's consumer protection agency, decided to fine Apple following intense scrutiny over the decision to remove the power adapter from the boxes of iPhones. With the iPhone 12, Apple removed the power adapter from the box, saying that doing so will reduce carbon emissions and the use of rare-earth metals.

In December, the Brazilian agency informed Apple that selling an iPhone in the country without a charger in the box is a violation of the Consumer Defense Code. Apple responded to the agency's concerns by saying that most customers already have spare adapters and that providing another one in the box is unneeded.

Fernando Capez, Procon-SP's executive director, offered a stern warning to Apple following the fine, saying that it needs to respect and understand Brazilian consumer law and institutions. Alongside the lack of a charger, Apple is also being fined for misleading customers about the water resistance in iPhones.

Since the iPhone 7, iPhones have been water-resistant to different specifications. The more recent iPhone 12 series, for example, is certified for water submersion of up to 6 meters for as long as 30 minutes.

Procon-SP claims that Apple refused to repair devices for customers who had suffered water damage with their "water-resistant" iPhones, even though they're under warranty. Other charges brought forward to Apple are claims that it deliberately slows down older phones with iOS updates to encourage customers to purchase newer models.

Apple will have a chance to appeal to the $2 million fine. We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update this article if we hear back.

Article Link: Apple Fined $2 Million in Brazil for Selling iPhones Without Chargers

When Apple provide a PSU for the iPhone will Brazil then fine Apple for introducing more electronic waste into Brazil

 

[hans1972]

Except they financially make that choice for you by keeping the phone price exactly the same but including less in the box. You like getting swindled by a trillion dollar corporation fine but calling people that don’t “ridiculous” is ignorant at best

Companies should be allowed to set their prices however they see fit. It is double true in markets where there is stiff competition.

You as a consumer should not have any say in this. Your only choice is buying or not buying for whatever reasons you decide.

 

[Delta-NC]

Deleted.

 

[WLSON]

Once again, this is great news. I’m glad some countries are at least realizing what a dumb move this is fuelled entirely by financial motivation and nothing to do with environmental impact.

They changed the charger the same time they got rid of it from the box. Tell me more about how we’re supposed to use our existing USBC bricks that we got with our iPhone….?

They sell charger bricks separately in a ton of packaging and at exorbitant prices and they just got called out for it.

Bravo, next country now please.

You already have the USB-A charger and cable, the port on the phone hasn't changed.

 

[iBreatheApple]

They kinda did dupe us. I “understood” the whole “we have twenty laying around at home” thing... because I do. But I just got an iPhone 12 mini and have never had a USB-C brick and now I have to spend money on one.

 

[Mega ST]

How about some voucher included with every iPhone puchase? It could be used to get some complete charger at no additional cost or something else from Apple if people don't want a charger?

 

[andreiru]

I had iPhone x water damage. They flat out refused to fix it. Got insurance to sort it out. Serves them right.

 

[Rob_2811]

The Tim Apple 'less is more philosophy' in action.

You pay more and you get less.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

I wonder which corrupt bureaucrat is going to get the money.

 

[I7guy]

The Tim Apple 'less is more philosophy' in action.

You pay more and you get less.

And you as a consumer can “vote with your dollars.” That’s the only way to reach these companies a lesson. Sales affect stock prices, not fines.

 

[Maconplasma]

I think the whole price was actually for the charger and the phone, cable, papers, plastics, stickers, sim tool and box were for free. Show us some proof that I am wrong.

What a backwards way of thinking. I brought it up first. If you disagree you're supposed to show proof that I am wrong. SMH. 🙄

 

[Rob_2811]

And you as a consumer can “vote with your dollars.” That’s the only way to reach these companies a lesson. Sales affect stock prices, not fines.

I don't use dollars or care about the stock price.

 

[gnasher729]

They kinda did dupe us. I “understood” the whole “we have twenty laying around at home” thing... because I do. But I just got an iPhone 12 mini and have never had a USB-C brick and now I have to spend money on one.

You don’t. It charges just fine with a USB-A charger. It charges with the charger and cable from an old iPhone 5.

 

[akbarali.ch]

They could just include a coupon/gift card valid for a charger in case you do need one, problem solved.

That i think is a great solution 👍. If they need a charger they can get one against the coupon or buy something else from the store instead. I already have 3-4 chargers, 30watts, 12 watts, 10 watts and couple of 5 watts, i dont need another one, i'll add that coupon value to something else i need to purchase from Apple.


I'm going to send this feedback to Apple, hope they listen.

 

[gnasher729]

so they include a cable people won’t be using? I thought their goal was less waste? In that case, they might as well not include one at all

There are two huge groups needing the cable: Those with an Android phone with USB-C charger. And those with a multi port charger that includes USB-C. And of course those with two new iPhones in the same household. You don’t need two chargers for two phones, since it charges in just two hours.

 

[I7guy]

I don't use dollars or care about the stock price.

Then don’t buy apple products if this type of “penny pinching” annoys you.

 

[Rob_2811]

Then don’t buy apple products if this type of “penny pinching” annoys you.

I'm not here to puff up 'shareholder value' i'll leave that to you.

I'll say what I like about it, It's a smartphone not a religious cult.

 

[gnasher729]

How about the business end of USB-C? Past iPhone users don't have chargers for that. That standard changed.

A USB-A charger works perfectly fine with a new iPhone. You need either a USB-A charger and a USB-A-to-lightning cable or a USB-C charger and a USB-C-to-lightning cable.

 

[gnasher729]

Yeah, USB-A. iPhones ship with a lightning to USB-C

She has tons of USB-A to lightning cables.

 

[gnasher729]

Im curious why you even need a phone anyway. In order to use it, it needs a cell plan. They dont come with a cell plan, you have to sign up for one on your own. Given your belief that one cannot acquire a charger on their own, surely you cannot expect them to get a cell plan either...

Actually, lots of people would find it quite useful without the phone part, using voip instead. Making phone calls is likely less than 10% of the device cost and the customer value.

 

[HiVolt]

They can, but they don't want to. It is really that simple. And companies should have that kind of freedom.

Then they should not be surprised if they face scrutiny or fines from authorities that find those decisions unfair for the consumers that purchase them.

 

[Tozovac]

"Apple responded to the agency's concerns by saying that most customers already have spare adapters and that providing another one in the box is unneeded."

If that were the only reason then they'd allow people to add one to their order for free.

Echos of:

Every fool knows how to tap a screen, therefore nobody needs smart, intuitive user interface elements anymore. Let's flatten everything, hide actionable items in plain sight as text-only (or hide often-used commands completely offscreen or behind secret swipes/motions that require Googling to figure out), and make everything nearly white/monochromatic...let's basically over-simplify everything on the screen to look rather plain, homogenous, uninviting, and "different."

 

[1BadManVan]

„Adapter not needed“

- includes a usb-c to lightning cable 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

if anything, they make more electronic waste by including a cable that doesn’t work with the adapters most people Apple claims to already have 😅

That’s the part that gets me. Why would you include a USB c to lightning cable in the box when you’ve never sold an iPhone with that style charger included ever but claim everyone has a charger for it.

Plus, what about new iPhone users? Those that have been android for years and make the switch. Welcome to Apple, here’s your $1k phone that you also need to buy a charger for if you plan to use it past the first day.

And we have some blind fan boys here defending this? Wow

 

[Suckfest 9001]

Nope, they really don’t. When I recently moved house I traded in 6 chargers I had still wrapped in plastic to a second hand retailer for €1.25 each. The world really does not need an endless run of chargers and twice as many ships moving round thick boxes. If you need a charger at this point buy one, you literally don’t though do you? There’s a charger in your wall right now.



When you pop out the door to buy a new iPhone do you throw your charging cable in the bin as you leave the house? 🤨 The USB-C cable is included because it’s the new standard and if you’re not an iPhone user your existing charger is probably USB-C based? Is it not? Then due to exception you need to upgrade your charger, most won’t. Are you an iPhone owner? Great, keep the cable as a spare or pass it on. You’ve already got a charger and cable.

Cables are a small amount of material and take up so little space Apple don’t need to use DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF SHIPS to move them around the world after manufacturing. Chargers are a different story. Do you understand now? Do you really want to world polluted more for a free charger with your €1000 smartphone? Are you so poor you need a €19 charger included with the €1000 smartphone you are buying?



You know what, I can’t even be bothered replying to this now, see my reply above it pretty much applies here to. You use the existing ”brick” with your existing cable. You lot seem to be talking like you throw a cable in the bin as a tradition when you go off to buy a new phone. What is wrong with you people!? 😒

No I don’t throw em away I sell them with the old phone like everyone else does. Lol good guess though 🙄🙄🙄

 

[Suckfest 9001]

You already have the USB-A charger and cable, the port on the phone hasn't changed.

No I don’t I sell old cables with the old phones thanks though