India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority has escalated an inquiry into complaints that an iOS 18 update caused display and microphone problems that led some iPhone owners to pay for repairs, according to Reuters. The reported escalation follows an earlier stage in which the regulator sought Apple’s response to the complaints. Reuters said the investigation is […]

The post India Escalates Inquiry Into Apple Over Reported iOS 18 Repair Costs appeared first on The Mac Observer.

A Autoridade Central de Proteção ao Consumidor (CCPA, na sigla em inglês) da Índia está intensificando uma investigação contra a Apple envolvendo o lançamento do iOS 18, que teria causado problemas nas telas e nos microfones de iPhones — forçando, assim, consumidores do país a pagar quantias “exorbitantes” por reparos.

Segundo informações da Reuters, esse mais novo desdobramento é uma continuação de uma investigação iniciada ainda em 2024, quando o órgão regulador recebeu um grande número de reclamações relacionadas a essa atualização de software.

De acordo com alguns desses relatos, os problemas se manifestaram na forma de linhas verdes, rosas e brancas nas telas dos aparelhos — no caso do iPhone 15 (um dos modelos mais populares na época) podem custar cerca de ₹27.900 (algo em torno de R$1.500) para serem substituídas. Como updates do iOS não vêm com garantia, a Apple teria se recusado a arcar com os custos desses reparos.

O CCPA entrou em contato com a Apple em 29 de julho deste ano para informá-la que havia elevado o caso a uma “investigação detalhada” sobre o tema, citando uma possível “violação dos direitos dos consumidores”. A Apple, por sua vez, respondeu ao argumentar que softwares virem sem garantia trata-se de um “padrão global da indústria”, além de ter insistido que o iOS 18 não possuía problemas sistêmicos.

Em sua carta, a Maçã também destacou que a investigação se baseia em “apenas” 75 reclamações e disse que usuários foram lembrados nos termos de uso do seu software que ele vem “sem garantia de qualquer tipo”, bem como precisariam arcar com os custos de reparo caso haja algum problema com o software. “Exigir que cada problema seja tratado como uma violação de garantia absoluta transformaria efetivamente qualquer fornecedor de software em uma seguradora contra todos os riscos tecnológicos”, concluiu.

Em contrapartida, o CCPA disse que “cobrar dos consumidores por problemas decorrentes da própria negligência da empresa viola o princípio do comércio justo”.

Aguardemos os próximos desdobramentos.

via AppleInsider

India’s consumer regulator has intensified its investigation into Apple’s software warranty practices after complaints that the iOS 18 update damaged iPhone screens and other functions, leaving users to pay steep repair bills, according to Reuters’ Aditya Kalra.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) told Apple in late July that it had “escalated” the matter for a detailed inquiry by its investigation wing. The case follows a large volume of complaints that the late-2024 iOS 18 rollout caused display problems — including green, pink or white lines on screens — and microphone failures. Because Apple’s software licence agreements state that iOS is provided “without warranty of any kind,” customers say they were forced to pay for repairs themselves.The estimated cost to replace a damaged iPhone 15 screen is about 27,900 rupees ($291), more than a third of the device’s retail price in some cases. The regulator has accused Apple of violating the rights of “consumers as a class” and of charging customers for problems that allegedly stemmed from the company’s own software update.

Apple has pushed back. In an August letter and a public statement, the company said it found no systemic issues or safety concerns with iOS 18 in India, that the software underwent stringent testing, and that the CCPA case rests on a relatively small number of complaints. Apple also noted that only about 11% of iPhones in India were still running iOS 18 by June 2026. It argued that a “no warranty” clause for software is standard across the electronics industry and that users are informed of the terms before installation. Treating every software problem as a breach of an absolute warranty, Apple said, would turn software makers into insurers against all technological risk.

The dispute comes as Apple rapidly expands manufacturing and market share in India, where iPhone sales rose to a 9% share last year from 4% in 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. It also adds to existing regulatory pressure on the company in the country, including antitrust scrutiny.

If the CCPA ultimately finds violations, Apple could face fines and, more consequentially, orders to issue refunds or alter its warranty and disclosure practices. New Delhi-based consumer-law specialist Kirti Mahapatra said investigators can demand documents and hold hearings. The authority can require clearer information for customers and, in theory, changes to contractual terms—though she described the latter as unprecedented.

Apple said it would work with authorities to provide clarity on customer response to the software. The CCPA did not immediately comment.The outcome could set a notable precedent for how software updates and warranty disclaimers are treated under Indian consumer law.
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