Just a day ahead of Apple’s “Far Out” event and the iPhone 14 announcement, one South American nation has stopped all sales of certain iPhone models. The government of Brazil ordered Apple on Tuesday to stop selling any iPhones that don’t include a charger. They claim the Cupertino-based tech giant is providing an incomplete product to consumers.
Brazil’s Justice Ministry Fines Apple, Cancels Sales of iPhone 12 and Other Models That Don’t Include Charger
Brazilian authorities don’t buy into Apple’s insistence that it reduces carbon emissions by selling newer iPhone models sans charger. Cupertino began the practice with the iPhone 12, and isn’t expected to change it anytime soon. Beginning with that model, and including each iPhone since, the box contains a USB-C to Lightning cable, but no charging block.
As a result, Brazil’s Justice Ministry has fined Apple 12.275 million reals ($2.38 million) and ordered the tech giant to cease all iPhone sales that don’t come with a charger. In an order published in the country’s official gazette, the ministry rules the iPhone lacks an essential component in a “deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers.”
Continuation of a Recurring Argument with Brazilian Courts
This isn’t the first time Apple has run afoul of Brazil’s courts regarding the iPhone. Several times, various courts there have ruled that Cupertino was violating consumer rights by not including a charger. One court even went so far as to award an individual consumer $1,000 in damages over the issue.
Brazil’s Consumer Code (CDC), however, has provisions against the exclusion of chargers with new smartphones and other devices. Article 39 of that law prohibits “tying” or “married” sales. These are sales requiring the consumer to purchase an accessory separately in order to use the original item.
The fact that consumers aren’t required to purchase an Apple-branded USB-C charging brick doesn’t matter, according to the Justice Ministry. Nor does it matter that those upgrading from the iPhone 12 to a newer model should already have a compatible charger.
How Apple responds to the fines and injunction remains to be seen. We’ve reached out to Cupertino for comment, and will update with any statement the tech giant issues.
Sooo…they are saying that they don’t want to be green?
Not at the expense of violating their “married purchase” regulations. I mean, I kinda get it…when I get a new iPhone and sell my old one, I try to include the charger with it. I also recognize that’s probably unnecessary, since most people likely have several chargers already laying around. What I think Apple should consider is offering the iPhone both with and without the charger, but at the same price point. That way, those who are getting their first smartphone, or their first device that needs USB-C for charging rather than USB-A, aren’t forced to purchase an accessory just to use the iPhone they’ve just spend upwards of $800 on.
Let’s remember, too, that quite a few people have yet to upgrade from the iPhone 11. That came with a USB-A charging brick, which won’t work with the cable included with any of Apple’s newer devices.