The Italian Competition Authority stated that “the contextual indication of the disclaimer “The guarantee does not cover damage caused by liquids”, given the emphatic advertising boast of water resistance, was deemed suitable to deceive consumers by not clarifying which type of guarantee it referred to (conventional guarantee or legal guarantee), nor was it deemed capable of adequately contextualizing the conditions and limitations of the assertive claims of water resistance.”
Furthermore, the regulator alleged that Apple refused to provide warranty support to consumers when their iPhones were damaged by water. Such refusal is a violation of consumers’ rights under the Consumer Code.
Apple can appeal the penalty imposed by the Italian Competition Authority within 60 days upon receiving its notice.
Two years ago, the regulator hit Apple and Samsung with an approximately $15 million penalty for forcing updates on consumers’ phones. The updates slowed their devices.
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