The Brazilian government has barred Apple from selling iPhones without a charger in the country.
It also fined the United States tech giant 12.28 million reais (nearly $2.4 million) over the issue, which it termed ‘discriminatory practices.
The measure from the country’s Department of Consumer Protection and Defense ordered: “the immediate suspension of the distribution of iPhone brand smartphones, regardless of model or generation, that are not accompanied by a battery charger.”
In an official statement, Brazilian authorities noted that Apple alleges that the decision to exclude chargers from iPhone sales comes from an “environmental commitment”.
However, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security maintained that “there is no effective demonstration of environmental protection on Brazilian soil as a consequence” of Apple’s policy, and accused the company of “deliberate discriminatory practices against consumers.”
The official statement added, “There is no justification for an operation which, in aiming to reduce carbon emissions, leads to the introduction into the consumer market of a product whose use depends on the acquisition of another (product) which is also marketed by the company.”
Apple has faced fines from Brazilian state agencies before, but the authorities “did not take any measures to minimize the harm and until now continued to sell the cellular devices without chargers”, the statement said.
The company has been under investigation in Brazil since December for “the sale of an incomplete product”, “discrimination against the consumer” and “the transfer of responsibility to third parties” by offering iPhone 12s and newer versions without chargers for power outlets, according to the official statement.
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