Brazilian government banned Apple from selling iPhones without a wall charger this week.
Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security said Apple is offering a “incomplete product.” The Ministry calls the lack of fees “deliberate consumer discrimination.” The Brazilian government is also fining Apple over 12 million reais ($2.3 million), and the iPhone 12 will no longer be registered with Anatel, the country’s telecom agency. Consider it Brazil’s FCC (the FCC).
Brazilian officials don’t buy Apple’s justification that missing the charger was for the environment. Senacon (National Consumer Secretariat) says selling an iPhone without a charger doesn’t assist the environment. Consumers are “burdened”. Senacon suggests Apple use USB-C cables and chargers to benefit the environment.
This rumour comes a day before Apple’s Far Out September presentation, where the new iPhone 14 is expected. Brazil’s announcement may affect the event or device.
We approached Apple for comment on the news. If we hear more, we’ll update.
Challenges persist
This suspension is the latest regulatory challenge by Brazil and other countries.
Brazil has long posed problems. In 2021, PROCON-SP punished Apple 10.5 million reais (approximately $2 million) for similar reasons. It says there’s no evidence the wall charger deletion helps the environment and the business used “misleading promotion.”
Brazil wants to mandate that all cellphones use USB-C charging, like the EU. Most contemporary Android phones already use USB-C cords, so this move would largely affect Apple, which was late to comply. Anatel wants to create a USB-C policy for devices by July 1, 2024.
The EU will require all mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets to have USB-C charging ports by 2024. EU lawmakers were upset by the smartphone industry’s slow progress, so they acted.
Outliers
The EU is adopting USB-C, but the UK and US aren’t.
The UK won’t insist Apple adopt a single charging standard and has no plans to do so soon. Neither party has established a uniform charging standard with the US. Some senators want a USB-C standard, but nothing more.
If Brazil follows through on its USB-C charger claims, UK and US customers may have a separate standard. Apple should embrace USB-C for future devices instead of creating two iPhones with distinct charging protocols for various nations.
Apple’s second alternative seems like a manufacturing nightmare. Apple’s response is being awaited. The announcement says Brazil will let the corporation appeal.