An Apple store in New York, June 16, 2020. -
Mark Lennihan / AP / SIPA
The Italian competition authority announced on Monday that it had fined Apple 10 million euros ($ 11.97 million).
The US tech giant has been convicted of misleading commercial claims regarding the water resistance of several of its iPhone models.
Apple did not specify that this characteristic existed only "under certain specific conditions", for example during laboratory tests with the use of static and pure water, "and not under normal conditions of use", he said. emphasized authority.
The affected models are iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 pro and iPhone 11 pro Max.
The decision published on the Apple website
In addition, the indication that the warranty of smartphones did not cover damage caused by liquids was considered likely "to mislead consumers".
According to the Italian competition authority, in particular, it did not “adequately contextualize the conditions and limits” of the claims concerning the water resistance of the devices concerned.
The Italian authority further declared as "aggressive business practice" Apple's refusal to provide after-sales service under warranty for these iPhone models when they have been damaged by the introduction of liquids.
In addition to the fine of 10 million euros imposed, Apple will have to publish part of the decision on its website apple.com.
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