In Brazil, Apple is no longer allowed to sell the iPhone and will also receive a multimillion-dollar fine. Particularly bad timing, now that the iPhone 14 is almost here. iPhoned explains what is going on and why you don’t have to worry in the Netherlands.
iPhone 14 ban in effect in Brazil
Apple is no longer allowed to sell iPhones without a charger in Brazil and has to pay a fine. According to Brazilian justice, there is no evidence of an environmental benefit.
Brazil sees the removal of the iPhone charger as an unreasonable disadvantage for the customers. As a result, the country’s Justice Department announced a ban on sales of iPhones without chargers on Sept. 6, the Reuters news agency reported. The sales stop affects not only the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, but just all models that do not have a supplied charger. For Apple, the case comes at a particularly bad time, because the presentation of the iPhone 14 will take place tonight. Of course, the iPhone 14 may not be sold in Brazil either.
Unlike another case in Colombia, which may still have effects in the Netherlands, you don’t have to worry in this case.
Also a million dollar fine for Apple
The authority has also fined Apple almost 2.4 million euros. According to the authority, the devices are missing an essential part, which intentionally harms customers.
According to Apple, omitting the charger would create an environmental benefit. The Brazilian Ministry of Justice thinks otherwise, saying there is no evidence for this.
Since the introduction of the iPhone 12 two years ago, there is no charger in the box. The accessory also disappeared from the packaging of older models, which the manufacturer still sells. Apple emphasized at the time that this not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also the use of precious materials. A USB-C to Lightning charging cable is still included.
Brazil’s consumer association mobilized early against the move, calling the removal of the iPhone charger a fraud and a hidden price increase. The union also said that customers were not sufficiently informed and no longer automatically have a fast and secure adapter.
Apple could supply the charger separately
Apple has already announced that it will appeal against the ruling anyway. However, depending on the legal requirements, the manufacturer can come up with an easy solution. In France, for example, Apple for a long time supplied iPhones with earbuds, which had previously disappeared from the box. These then came in an extra box because there was no more room in the iPhone packaging. It has become much smaller since the omission of the charger.