Italy fines Apple RM49 million for misleading iPhone claims

Apple has been fined for $12 million (RM49 million) for misleading information regarding its iPhones’ water resistance rating.

Your iPhone isn’t as water-resistant as it seems

Apple has advertised several iPhones with water-resistance, but failed to mention that there are specific circumstances — the claims are only true during “specific and controlled laboratory tests with the use of static and pure water”. The iPhones involved includes the iPhone 8 lineup, the iPhone XR, the iPhone XS lineup and the iPhone 11 lineup.

Apple also deny warranty for iPhones with water damage

Italy’s antitrust authority, L’Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), also criticised Apple for refusing to offer warranty for iPhones that suffer water damage, despite its marketing claims on water resistance.

Apple will have to pay $12 million and publish a notice on its Italian website to clarify the misleading information.