Italy accuses Apple of misleading many iPhone users, claiming that its smartphones are waterproof. The country fines the tech giant manufacturer because of its false claims.
Italy's antitrust regulator AGCM fined the company with $12 million or 10 million euro for unfair commercial practices linked to Apple's iPhone marketing in the country.
According to Macrumors' latest report, Apple was fined specifically because of its misleading claims in promotional messages about how long and how deep can its smartphones can remain underwater without being damaged.
Apple's marketing materials include iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the latest iPhone products. These include iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
iPhone can last 30 minutes underwater?
In its advertisements, Apple claims that its iPhone products can resist getting damaged underwater at a depth of between one and four meters. The tech giant company also said that its smartphones can last up to 30 minutes, depending on the model.
But, Italy's competition regulator said that the marketing materials did not specify that the claims are only applicable to certain conditions.
The country also fined Apple because it is rejecting to fix consumers' iPhone under warranty liquid-related damage. Italy claims that Apple's marketing strategy is an aggressive business practice.
Apple says a warning was already provided
Apple's official website already provided a warning to the consumers. The company said that they should avoid using their iPhone while taking a bath or going for a swim.
It added that owners must avoid exposing their devices to high-velocity water or pressurized water. And lastly, Apple warned the consumers not to intentionally put their gadgets underwater.
The Sun reported that Apple's main branch in Italy refused to provide any comments regarding the current issue. Today, the offered water and dust resistance on smartphones and other gadgets usually wears off as time goes by.
This is a serious matter since people are looking for smartphone devices that not only have security features but also offer physical protection from outside forces.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
