Italy accuses Apple of misleading many iPhone users, claiming that its smartphones are waterproof. The country fines the tech giant manufacturer because of its false claims.

Apple Falsely Claims Its iPhone Is Waterproof; Italy Fines the Company For Misleading People and Rejecting Warranty Fix
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A Catalyst waterproof case for iPhone, with 33ft waterproof protection, is displayed during a press event for CES 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on January 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 9-12 and features about 3,900 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 170,000 attendees.

Italy's antitrust regulator AGCM fined the company with $12 million or 10 million euro for unfair commercial practices linked to Apple's iPhone marketing in the country.

According to Macrumors' latest report, Apple was fined specifically because of its misleading claims in promotional messages about how long and how deep can its smartphones can remain underwater without being damaged.

Apple's marketing materials include iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the latest iPhone products. These include iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

iPhone can last 30 minutes underwater?

In its advertisements, Apple claims that its iPhone products can resist getting damaged underwater at a depth of between one and four meters. The tech giant company also said that its smartphones can last up to 30 minutes, depending on the model.

Apple Falsely Claims Its iPhone Is Waterproof; Italy Fines the Company For Misleading People and Rejecting Warranty Fix
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A stand host presents waterproof iPhone covers at the DiCAPac stand on the first day of the CeBIT 2012 technology trade fair on March 6, 2012 in Hanover, Germany. CeBIT 2012, the world's largest information technology trade fair, will run from March 6-10, and advances in cloud computing and security are major features this year.

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But, Italy's competition regulator said that the marketing materials did not specify that the claims are only applicable to certain conditions.

The country also fined Apple because it is rejecting to fix consumers' iPhone under warranty liquid-related damage. Italy claims that Apple's marketing strategy is an aggressive business practice.

Apple says a warning was already provided

Apple's official website already provided a warning to the consumers. The company said that they should avoid using their iPhone while taking a bath or going for a swim.

It added that owners must avoid exposing their devices to high-velocity water or pressurized water. And lastly, Apple warned the consumers not to intentionally put their gadgets underwater.

The Sun reported that Apple's main branch in Italy refused to provide any comments regarding the current issue. Today, the offered water and dust resistance on smartphones and other gadgets usually wears off as time goes by.

This is a serious matter since people are looking for smartphone devices that not only have security features but also offer physical protection from outside forces.

For more news updates about Apple and other giant smartphone manufacturers, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

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