The fine is unlikely to affect Apple, according to The Verge, as the company posted $114.4 billion in sales in the first quarter of 2021.
According to 9to5Mac, Procon-SP, Brazil’s consumer protection agency, has fined Apple nearly $2 million for not including a charger in the iPhone 12 package.
Apple was fined for “misleading ads, selling a device without the charger, and unfair terms,” according to the investigation. According to the report, the agency had also questioned Apple about the problem last year. Apple did not show any environmental benefit from the change, according to Procon-SP.
Also read: Telegram launches voice chats 2.0, similar to Clubhouse’s audio chat
The agency stated in its latest decision that Apple had not replied when asked if the price of the iPhone 12 had been reduced after the charger was removed. In addition, the company did not respond to questions about the price of the handset with and without the charger, as well as whether the company had decreased charger production.
You might also like: Apple discontinues two iMac models, redesigned model to come soon: Reports
Aside from the charger package issue, the agency also reported that the company has some other issues. It said some users found ‘problems with some features’ on their iPhones after upgrading them, which Apple didn’t help, according to the report.
According to Procon-SP Executive Director Fernando Capez, “Apple needs to understand that in Brazil there are solid consumer protection laws and institutions. It needs to respect these laws and these institutions”.
You might also like: Apple to discontinue the Homepod, focusing on Homepod mini instead: Reports
The iPhone 12 was released in October of last year. The new model does not include chargers or earbuds in the package, according to the company. Apple says that the move would help in the elimination of e-waste and solve other environmental issues. Samsung and other mobile manufacturers have followed suit, removing the charger from their devices.
You might also like: Apple to discontinue the iMac Pro
Critics, on the other hand, say that Apple’s decision to skip the charger package would have a negligible environmental effect. They also said that the move was made mainly to reduce costs on shipping.
The fine is unlikely to affect Apple, according to The Verge, as the company posted $114.4 billion in sales in the first quarter of 2021.