In April last year, we reported that the Australian consumer protection agency, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), sued Apple for $ 829 thousand (about R $ 3 million) for the already known «Error 53», which rendered iPhones and iPads useless Touch ID replaced in unofficial stores.
This week, Australian Federal Justice decided to fine Apple 9 million Australian dollars (approximately R $ 25 million), for “misleading” some customers into believing that they could not have their iOS devices repaired by Apple if they had previously been repaired by a third-party store, as the newspaper reported. The Sydney Morning Herald.
When the «Error 53» code first appeared, Apple said it was actually a security feature to prevent possible malicious components used by third parties from compromising the user’s iPhone or iPad. After the issue was widely publicized, Apple released iOS 9.2.1 to correct the problem; however, shortly after the software update became available, Apple claimed that the “Error 53” problem should never have impacted consumer devices and that it should be experienced only in testing devices within factories.
Apple admitted that, between February 2015 and February 2016, it made false and misleading statements to consumers regarding the exchange of devices that were repaired in unofficial technical assistance. In the meantime, the ACCC has identified at least 275 customers who have been affected by Apple’s statements.
After the ACCC contacted Apple, the company also opened an investigation and launched a repair program. It is estimated that Apple has already contacted about 5,000 Australian consumers who may have been affected by the problem. In the country of kangaroos, there is a law that allows consumers to repair their devices (whatever the brand is) in third-party stores and that this is a common procedure.
In a statement, Apple said the company has been operating in Australia for 35 years and works hard to «offer our customers the best service possible». The company also offered to improve employee training and said it would more clearly pass on the information about warranties and consumer laws on its website.
via MacRumors
