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Apple sued by Australian regulators for allegedly refusing to repair devices serviced elsewhere
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is being sued by the Australian competition watchdog for refusing to service or replace defective devices previously repaired by a third party store.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claims Apple used software, which disabled iPhones and iPads that had been serviced elsewhere after users downloaded updates.
Last year users who serviced their devices outside of Apple stores were presented with an “error 53” message after upgrading via iTunes to IOS 9.2.1. This prevented them from using the devices.
Apple allegedly declined to service the devices when users brought them in to be fixed.
The regulator instituted proceedings against Apple in the Federal Court today after investigating these complaints from users.
The ACCC said Apple broke the law as Australian consumers were entitled to a free repair if a produce was not fit for use.
“Denying a consumer their consumer guarantee rights simply because they had chosen a third party repairer not only impacts those consumers, but can dissuade other customers from making informed choices about their repair options, including where they may be offered at lower cost than the manufacturer,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
Apple faces fines, injunctions and corrective notices if the regulator’s lawsuit is successful.
The company declined to comment on the news.
The ACCC took a different approach last week when it backed Apple in denying Australian banks the right to introduce their own mobile payment system on Apple devices.
The watchdog prevented Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank‘s request to launch their own mobile applications on iPhones and Apple Watches that could be used for contactless payments instead of the Apple Wallet.
Story by ProactiveInvestors
Source: http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/176099/apple-sued-by-australian-regulators-for-allegedly-refusing-to-repair-devices-serviced-elsewhere-176099.html
