Italian Antitrust Hits Apple & Samsung
In a move that feels like a slap in the face of smartphone owners, Italy’s competition authority slapped Apple and Samsung with hefty fines for what it calls “planned obsolescence.” Apple faces a murky €10 million penalty (about S$15.8 million) while Samsung sees a lighter €5 million fine (roughly S$7.9 million).
Why the Big Bucks?
- Slow‑down Tactics – Both companies pushed updates that notably slowed older models, giving the illusion of age and nudging users toward new devices.
- “Dishonest Commercial Practices” – The regulator officially denounced how the two giants slipped newer software onto older gear, causing glitches and (in some cases) a steep dip in performance.
- Battery Blunder – Apple’s fine was bumpier because the firm failed to alert customers about the real-life hours their lithium batteries could handle, and how to make them last longer.
What Happened Down the Line?
Samsung’s Note 4 Saga – Owners were told to download an Android patch meant for the newer Note 7. Cue a whimper, not a roar.
Apple’s iPhone 6 Story – Frustrated users found their devices sputtering after a software drop meant for the iPhone 7. Apple insisted this was a “performance‑extending” trick. Reality? It felt more like an age‑wearing holster.
Fair Enough?
Apple previously admitted in 2020 that its iPhones were intentionally slowed over time, sparking a wildfire of criticism. The company retorted that the slowdown was a mercy move to keep the phones from frying up in the heat of constant use.
Now, with the fine on Apple to be the heftier one, the tech titan faces a class‑action lawsuit in the U.S., while Samsung grapples with another legal storm at home.
Bottom Line
It’s a wake‑up call for the tech world: if you’re pushing new updates that push older phones out of circulation, better call the regulators over—heavier fines and a lot of public anger might be waiting for you.
