December 23, 2024

Apple Criticized for Misleading Customers on Warranties in 11 Countries

Posted March 19, 2012 at 5:40pm by iClarified · 13777 views
Consumer groups in eleven countries have written letters to national regulators asking them to put a stop to Apple's misleading advertising on product warranties.

Apple products say they come with a one-year warranty when European Union law says they must cover goods for two years. Consumer groups say Apple is misleading customers into purchasing extended warranties when they are already covered by law.

Bloomberg notes that Apple has already been fined $1.18 million in Italy but plans to challenge that ruling.

Apple will challenge a 900,000-euro ($1.18 million) fine from the Italian competition regulator at a March 21 hearing. The regulator in December said Apple breached EU legislation for unfair commercial practices and misled consumers by "prominently advertising" that its products have a one-year manufacturer warranty, and through the sale of its "AppleCare Protection Plan" warranty extension.

"Consumers should not be misled and confused as to fundamental EU consumer rights because a company wants to sell their commercial warranty services," Monique Goyens, director general of the European Consumer Organization.

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