Samuel Axon
Italy has hit back at Apple Pal for what the country’s regulators believe to be misleading marketing claims, although the fine is only Apple 10 million (12 12 million) – a company like Apple Pal claims.
At the moment, the Italian or Torita Garante della Concorન્nza e del Mercato (AGCM) claims that Apple Play told customers that many of the iPhone models are dello water resistant, but the iPhone is not as resistant as Apple Pal says. In one instance, Apple Play claimed that the iPhone 8 was rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, meaning the phone could live up to 30 minutes under three feet of water. But the Italian regulator says it is only true under special lab conditions with stable and pure water conditions.
The AGCM’s announcement features the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Presumably, the claims would also apply to the iPhone 12 line, but that line was only introduced to the market.
After naming specific claims about the names of the affected models and the issues associated with them, AGCMA said the problem is exacerbated by the problem that Apple’s standard warranty for the iPhone does not usually cover accidental water damage. (Apple Palcare +, a largely extended warranty service that Apple Pal offers at an additional cost.)
While Apple Pal lists IP67 or IP68 ratings for its various smartphones, its support documents advise users not to sink their iPhone. Regulator Apple interprets Paul’s actions as an attempt to advance its best foot in marketing, although it acknowledges in its customer support channels that reality is more complicated than actual ratings.
Like most of its competitors, Apple Pal has been the subject of regular scrutiny not only from European regulators, but also from numerous parts of its business in the United States and other regions.
