Brazil Fines Apple $19 Million for Continuing to Sell iPhones Without Charger

[MacRumors]

A Brazilian court today levied a $19 million "social damages" fine (100 million reais) against Apple for selling iPhones without a charger, reports Reuters. The Sao Paulo state court said that Apple must offer battery chargers with iPhones that are sold in the country, providing a decision in a lawsuit brought about by the Brazilian association of borrowers, consumers, and taxpayers (AMBCC).

Apple has said that it stopped offering chargers with iPhone purchases in order to cut down on carbon emissions. The company has argued that many customers already have chargers available, and it continues to sell chargers on a standalone basis.

The court presiding over the case did not look favorably on Apple's environmental explanation. "It is evident that, under the justification of a 'green initiative,' the defendant imposes on the consumer a required purchase of charger adapters that were previously supplied along with the product," read the ruling.

In addition to the fine, Apple is expected to sell iPhones with chargers and also provide chargers to all Brazilians who purchased their products after October 13, 2020, according to Brazilian news site Estadão. Apple ceased providing chargers with iPhones when it launched the iPhone 12 models in 2020. In most countries, Apple no longer ships iPhones with EarPods or a power adapter, offering just a USB-C to Lightning cable.

Back in September, the Brazilian Justice Ministry ordered Apple to stop selling iPhones without a charger and also levied a fine of $2.34 million, claiming that Apple was giving customers an incomplete product.

Apple has not complied with that order as it is appealing the ruling, with the company also planning to appeal today's Sao Paulo decision.

Article Link: Brazil Fines Apple $19 Million for Continuing to Sell iPhones Without Charger

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Chump change for Apple. Apple already made double the amount of profit without inputting the Apple charger on iPhones and charging $19 for a 5W Apple Charger in today's era.

Brazil- Did you know Samsung is selling Android devices without including a charger as well. Go after Samsung ➡️➡️➡️

 

[Mrjoedot]

surely if they could afford an iPhone in BRAZIL, they could buy a charger themselves. let alone, owning a better one than from Apple.

 

[WolfSnap]

I mean, using that logic, you can argue that any accessory should be included. Where do you stop? Should a case be included? Headphones? How about Macs that are sold without Final Cut Pro X? I mean, without FCPX you can't do pro-video on the mac!

Apple should be able to sell each item a la carte. Just want the phone? Why pay for a charger too -- need just a charger, why pay for anything other than a charger? Bundling unneeded hardware is just wasteful.

This is just silly...

 

[SSDGUY]

Apple could at least make it clear when ordering that if you need/want to add a charger, that's an option for extra $'s. Maybe they do? I don't recall seeing it when I ordered my 14Pro.

 

[BC2009]

I am sure changing the packaging and providing the chargers will cost more than the fine.

 

[MacLawyer]

Steve Cook shakes out his spare change sock.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Apply could at least make it clear when ordering that if you need/want to add a charger, that's an option for extra $'s. Maybe they do? I don't recall seeing it when I ordered my 14Pro.

They kind of do. There is a section that shows what is included in the box and then when you go through the checkout flow it gives you the option of adding cases/power bricks/magsafe etc

 

[RalfTheDog]

Just put a basket full of chargers on a table and if a person is buying an iPhone and wants one, just grab one. It's not that hard.

 

[1557750]

People will be handing out their extras for Halloween.

👊🎃👍

 

[bLackjackj]

So here you have it folks, a company willing to forgo and risk $US15 Million Dollars for the sake of what? Yes, if you are selling an electrical product, it should absolutley come with a means to power it up,..no matter the circumstances. If they can risk this much money, why not just up the wages of retail staff across the world?

 

[munpip214]

I bet we can find enough 5W to donate. I’ve got a couple in a drawer somewhere X 1 Billion others oughta cover Brazil.

 

[RalfTheDog]

So here you have it folks, a company willing to forgo and risk $US15 Million Dollars for the sake of what? Yes, if you are selling an electrical product, it should absolutley come with a means to power it up,..no matter the circumstances. If they can risk this much money, why not just up the wages of retail staff across the world?

Because most people don't want more junk. If they include a charger, it will just wind up in a closet or being sent to the recyclers. If anything, I would pay more to get a phone with less clutter.

 

[msp3]

So if I walk into a McDonalds, order a Big Mac by itself, is that also illegal in Brazil? Why is it the government's place to force someone to have a Big Mac combo when a store sells it separately and you can choose to just have a sandwich by itself?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I bet we can find enough 5W to donate. I’ve got a couple in a drawer somewhere X 1 Billion others oughta cover Brazil.

Do you think the 5W Apple Charger may become obsolete after Apple introduces an iPhone with USB-C.

 

[SSDGUY]

They kind of do. There is a section that shows what is included in the box and then when you go through the checkout flow it gives you the option of adding cases/power bricks/magsafe etc

Ahh yeah. I probably didn't pay attention. When I got my phone, sans charger, it seemed odd at first then I remembered they don't include them now. Funny how the phone wasn't any cheaper.

 

[seanmcbay]

The environmental explanation for not including these anymore always made no sense. If Apple really cared then they would focus on making their devices last longer term and not design a new one every year.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Ahh yeah. I probably didn't pay attention. When I got my phone, sans charger, it seemed odd at first then I remembered they don't include them now. Funny how the phone wasn't any cheaper.

Do you actually need another charger?

 

[wilberforce]

So what is to prevent Apple from bundling the phone with a charger, and raising the price $20 in Brazil?
This of course will force those who do not need a charger to pay $20 extra.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

So if I walk into a McDonalds, order a Big Mac by itself, is that also illegal in Brazil? Why is it the government's place to force someone to have a Big Mac combo when a store sells it separately and you can choose to just have a sandwich by itself?

Not to go off topic but Mcdonald's does charge extra for lettuce 🥬 , tomatoes 🍅 , onions 🧅 , and all. I hate the fact they charge extra 0.50 cents for extra lettuce. It’s mad annoying and irritating.

Maybe someone at Apple got an idea from McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich?

 

[SSDGUY]

Do you actually need another charger?

Yes, since I'm giving my old phone to my wife.

 

[RalfTheDog]

The environmental explanation for not including these anymore always made no sense. If Apple really cared then they would focus on making their devices last longer term and not design a new one every year.

Most people I know who get a new iPhone or three every year give out their one year old phones to people who need them. Most of those people have chargers from their previous phones.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Yes, since I'm giving my old phone to my wife.

What happened to your wife's old charger? Or her charger before that? Or her charger before that? ...

 

[Oyah12]

Should'ov been 1 billion$ fine…what a shame

 

[jchap]

Not to go off topic but Mcdonald's does charge extra for lettuce 🥬 , tomatoes 🍅 , onions 🧅 , and all. I hate the fact they charge extra 0.50 cents for extra lettuce. Maybe someone at Apple for an idea from McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich?

I wonder what would happen if you asked them to remove the tomatoes and onions and add extra lettuce? If the addition of extra ingredients constitutes a surcharge, then wouldn't the removal of one part of the sandwich consititute a discount?