The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has today announced it’ll pursue Apple’s Australian subsidiary for incorrect labelling of its new iPad device as supporting 4G networks in Australia, despite the device’s current inoperability with local 4G networks.
In a statement issued late today, the organisation confirmed it would pursue Apple about the labelling of the “new iPad” to Australian customers as “iPad with WiFi + 4G” when in fact the device doesn’t work with Australian 4G networks.
This, the ACCC argues, may mislead customers and contravenes Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
“The ACCC alleges that Apple’s recent promotion of the new “iPad with WiFi + 4G” is misleading because it represents to Australian consumers that the product “iPad with WiFi + 4G” can, with a SIM card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, when this is not the case,” the ACCC said in the statement.
“Consumers who have purchased or are considering purchasing an “iPad with WiFi + 4G” should ensure that they have a proper understanding of the mobile data networks which this iPad can directly access by a SIM card.”
The consumer watchdog will file its complaint to the Federal Court in Melbourne at 9:30am tomorrow, Wednesday the 28th March, and allege that Apple’s marketing breaches sections 18, 29(1)(a), 29(1)(g) and 33 of the ACL.
It will seek “urgent interlocutory relief” that will insist Apple makes customers more aware of the fact that the new iPad won’t work with Australian 4G networks, while hoping for “final orders including injunctions, pecuniary penalties, corrective advertising and refunds to consumers affected.”
Apple is yet to comment on today’s developments.
Recent Comments