Apple Banned From Selling iPhones Without Chargers In This Country; Apple Will Fight This Case

On Tuesday, Apple said that it will appeal a Brazilian order which banned it from selling the phones without a charger in Brazil. The Brazilian order, on the grounds of alleging Apple is selling an incomplete product to consumers, is not allowing Apple to sell product in the country.

Apple Fined For Not Selling Charger in iPhone

Apple was fined 12.275 million reals ($2.38 million) by the Justice Ministry. In addition to the fine, it also ordered the company to cancel the sales of of the iPhone 12 and newer models, in addition to suspending the sale of any iPhone model that does not come with a charger.

The ministry argued that the iPhone was lacking an essential component in a “deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers”.

No Charger on Basis of Environmental Protections

Apple justified their decision of selling smartphone without a charger, on the grounds of reduced carbon emissions. However the authorities rejected Apple’s argument and said there is no evidence that selling the smartphone without a charger offers environmental protections.

While saying that Apple would appeal the decision, the company said that in order to “resolve their concerns”, they will continue to work with Brazilian consumer protection agency Senacon.

The Cupertino-based Giant said that “We have already won several court rulings in Brazil on this matter and we are confident that our customers are aware of the various options for charging and connecting their devices”.

The order comes a day before Apple is expected to announce its new iPhone model.

Previously, a judge in in Brazil has ordered Apple to compensate an iPhone user about $1,000 for not shipping a charger in the box.