Technology
Apple was fined $2 million by a Brazilian regulator for not providing chargers with the iPhone.
According to 9to5 Mac, the consumer protection agency in Brazil's So Paulo state fined Apple $2 million for failing to provide chargers in iPhone 12 boxes. Apple allegedly engaged in misleading ads, selling a computer without the battery, and unfair terms, according to Procon-SP.
In October, Apple revealed that the iPhone 12 and iPhone X would not include chargers or earbuds in their boxes due to environmental concerns. Apple believes that by only including a USB-C to Lightning cable with the iPhone 12 and other new models, it would be able to reduce the raw materials used in each iPhone sold, as well as the size of the phones' boxes. Critics speculated that the move was motivated by Apple's desire to increase its market share.Critics argued that the move was made to allow Apple to cut shipping costs, although environmental experts said the environmental impact would be negligible.
Procon said it asked Apple if the price of the iPhone 12 would be reduced because there were no chargers included, but received no response. The agency also charged the company with failing to assist customers who encountered "problems with certain features" after upgrading their iPhones. Apple must honor these laws and institutions, according to an agency spokesperson.
Apple, which had $111.4 billion in sales in the first quarter of 2021, does not seem to be overly worried about the fine (that total includes 2020 holiday sales of iPhone 12 models).
Apple did not immediately respond to The Verge's request for comment on Saturday.
