It seems that Apple is now in big trouble for not bundling a charger in the retail box, along with an iPhone. Hundreds of iPhones have reportedly been seized in different retail stores in Brazil because the company has been selling its smartphone without an important accessory, which is something that the Brazilian government believes.
The latest move by the government is not at all surprising, considering the country has previously fined Apple two times for the same cause. A report from 9To5Mac revealed that the country took this action of seizing iPhones in several stores, and its latest movement is named “Operation Discharge.”
Both carrier stores and the company's authorised reseller shops have the devices in their possession. This has been done to get Apple to abide by the nation's most recent directive not to sell iPhones without a charger. Just a few months after the launch of the iPhone 12 series, Apple stopped including chargers with the devices, and the nation immediately protested the company's move.
Apple (Brazil) asked the government to permit it to sell the iPhones shortly after the devices were seized by the nation. The iPhone manufacturer reportedly had permission to sell the smartphones until the final decision is made.
Apple was fined BRL 100 million (about Rs 150 crore) in October for failing to provide a charger in the box. At the time, the company announced that it would file a legal appeal. Apple was found to have engaged in "abusive practises" by selling its high-end gadgets without a charger, according to a complaint brought by the group of debtors, consumers, and taxpayers in Sao Paulo state court.
In September, Apple was also hit with a fine of over $2.5 million for the identical problem. As long as the corporation didn't intend to include a charger in the box, it couldn't sell its iPhones in Brazil. Later, until a new decision is taken, it was given authority to sell units.
According to Brazilian authorities, Apple is saving money in the name of protecting the environment while individuals must pay more to purchase a charger. The nation said that this is a crucial add-on that is required to recharge the phone's battery and that the product cannot function without it. So, in accordance with the court's decision, Apple will also have to include a charger in the box.
