The government of Brazil has stated that Apple, the American multinational technology company has been banned from selling iPhones in Brazil without a charger and has even imposed a fine of over $2 million over the matter on Tuesday. According to the government, the company is providing incomplete products to its customers.
In an official notice, Brazil’s Public Security and the Ministry of Justice ordered “the immediate suspension of the distribution of iPhone brand smartphones, regardless of model or generation, that are not accompanied by a battery charger”, along with charging them a fine of $2. 38 million. In the order, published in the country’s official gazette, the ministry of Brazil argued that the iPhone was lacking an important component and is a “deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers”.
Apple revealed its plan to stop providing charging brick or earphones in the year 2020. They announced that now Iphones would only have a USB-C to Lightning connection. The multinational company revealed environmental concerns as the reason for its decision. They opted for smaller packaging that offsets carbon emissions, removing the two accessories will lessen the environmental effect of the iPhone.
The Department of Defense and Consumer Protection has passed legislation that essentially bans the sale of all iPhone 12 series and 13 models along with other models that were about to be launched without a charger.
The prohibition in the country was announced just a day before the multinational company’s Far Out event, in which the new iPhone 14 is anticipated to be unveiled. However, Apple may still appeal the decision of the Ministry of Brazil that forbade some iPhone sales in the country, but it is not clear whether Apple would do so.
According to the Brazilian daily Folha de S.Paulo, the iPhone 12 models are still available for purchase in Brazil on Apple’s website. Apple has been under investigation since December for “discrimination against the consumer,” “the transfer of responsibility to third parties”, and “the sale of an incomplete product,” by selling iPhone 12s and models that came after that without chargers for power outlets. The multinational company has previously received penalties from the state authorities of Brazil, but the company did not take any efforts to reduce “the harm and until now continued to sell the cellular devices without chargers.”
Apple said,” 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.”