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Alagoas Consumer Watchdog Fines Apple R$101,627 for iPhones Sold Without Chargers

Apple’s Brazilian unit has 20 days to appeal, with regulators deeming the charger an essential accessory under the Consumer Defense Code.

Overview

  • Procon-AL imposed a R$101,627.50 (about $20,000) penalty for selling iPhones without a power adapter it calls indispensable for normal use.
  • The watchdog argues the policy violates consumer-protection principles by shifting an essential cost to buyers and undermining transparency and good faith.
  • Officials raised the fine from R$60,976.50 after citing aggravating factors, including Apple’s failure to remedy the issue.
  • Apple has 20 calendar days to file an administrative appeal, and a denied appeal would trigger an IPCA-E inflation adjustment to the amount.
  • The action extends a years-long dispute that previously brought multimillion-real fines and a 2022 order suspending iPhone sales in Brazil.