Apple fined over iPhone water resistance claims

Apple is no stranger to fines here in Europe. This week, the tech giant was hit with another one, this time over supposedly dubious claims about how waterproof iPhones are.

The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), Italy's competition regulator, announced today that it is issuing a €10 million fine ($12 million USD) against Apple over two counts of misleading the public.

As reported by Business Insider, the watchdog took issue with Apple's promotional materials for the iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS and iPhone 11. Apple claimed these iPhone models were water resistance at a depth of between 1 and 4 metres for up to 30 minutes.

In its argument, the AGCM says this is not the case in real-world conditions. Apple's results come from laboratory testing conditions with completely still, pure water. The AGCM also took issue with Apple's warranty, which is void if the iPhone is damaged by liquids.

KitGuru Says: Apple has not yet commented on this, so we don't know if the company plans to contest this fine. Still, at $12 million USD, this is a drop in the ocean for Apple's bottom line.

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