Apple is facing yet another lawsuit. This time by a Brazilian consumer watchdog in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state.
In late October 2020, Apple unveiled their new iPhone 12 series and announced that they would not come with a charger or earbuds in the box. Apple claims to have done keeping environmental concerns in mind. This sparked a lot of controversy in the smartphone world with competitors like Samsung falling suit as well.
Apple also claims to become completely carbon neutral for its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030, which means that every Apple device sold will have a net-zero impact on the climate. The company is already carbon neutral today for corporate emissions worldwide.
This lawsuit was filed by Procon-SP which is a consumer protection agency in Brazil. The lawsuit is for $2 million, a fine for failing to include chargers within the iPhone 12 boxes. According to Procon-SP, Apple engaged in “misleading advertising, selling a device without the charger and unfair terms”.
Critics are claiming that this change of not including chargers or earbuds has more to do with Apple reducing shipping costs rather than showing concern for the environment with experts around the world claiming that the impact on the environment should be very minimal. With the iPhone 12 mini costing around $729 in the US, the same iPhone costs around $1200 in Brazil.
According to Procon, Apple has refused to give them a response. The consumer protection agency also accused the company of an issue with stated iOS update problems as Apple tries to exempt itself from legal and implicit guarantees against hidden or not seemingly apparent defects. Procon-SP Executive Director Fernando Capez said, “Apple needs to understand that in Brazil there are solid consumer protection laws and institutions. It needs to respect these laws and these institutions”.
The fine is very unlikely to hurt Apple at all as the company reported revenue for $111.4 billion, with earnings per share of $1.68 in its fiscal Q1 2021 earnings report. Showing just how well the iPhone 12 series is faring with consumers worldwide
