Samsung (Opens in a new tab) Australia has been fined A$14 million ($9.72 million) after some of its customers admitted to misleading about the level of water resistance offered by some of its devices.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ruled on nine ads posted across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on its website and suggested within the store a series of phones – including the Galaxy S8 – that could be used in both pools and seawater.
“Samsung Australia’s claims about water resistance have reinforced an important selling point for the Galaxy phones,” ACCC Chairman Gina Kass Gottlieb said.
“We’ve reviewed hundreds of complaints from consumers who reported experiencing issues with their Galaxy phone after it was exposed to water, and in many cases, they reported that their Galaxy phone stopped working completely.”
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Most modern smartphones have some sort of water resistance, and are measured against broad industry standards set by the IP code. The Samsung devices listed in the ads are rated “IP68”, which means they can be fully submerged for half an hour to a depth of 1.5 meters.
However, this protection covers only fresh water. While it is possible for smartphones to offer some protection in chlorine and salt water, most manufacturers do not offer specific guarantees.
The ACCC’s view was that the ads provided evidence that Samsung devices could be used while swimming in the pool or at sea, and Samsung acknowledged that there was a risk that the charging port on these devices could corrode and stop working if charged while still. wet.
Cass-Gottlieb added: “Samsung Australia ads promoting their Galaxy phones have shown people using their phones in pools and sea water, despite the fact that this could end up causing significant damage to the phone.”
“This penalty is a powerful reminder to businesses that all product claims must be proven. The ACCC will continue to take enforcement action against companies that mislead consumers with claims about the nature or benefits of their products.”
Via Mail Business News (Opens in a new tab)