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Apple fined $9 million for misleading customers

Tech giant Apple has been fined $9 million for misleading Australian customers about its problematic iPhones and iPads.

The logo of Apple Inc. is pictured at an Apple Store.
The logo of Apple Inc. is pictured at an Apple Store. Source: AAP

Apple has been slapped with a $9 million fine by the Federal Court for making false or misleading claims to customers with faulty iPhones and iPads.

The competition watchdog took Apple to court after investigating complaints about how the tech giant had told customers they weren't entitled to a repair or replacement after they had a third party fix devices that were disabled by an iOS software update.

"If a product is faulty, customers are legally entitled to a repair or a replacement under the Australian Consumer Law, and sometimes even a refund," a statement by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said on Tuesday.

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The ACCC investigated consumer complaints regarding "error 53" on Apple devices and took the US tech giant to court in 2017.

The 'error 53' disabled some iPhones and iPads after consumers updated Apple's iOS operating system.

At least 275 Australian consumers were alleged to have been misled after Apple informed them they were no longer entitled to remedies, like a repair or replacement, if their device had been repaired by an unauthorised third party.


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