iPhone 'Error 53' Issue: Lawsuit Filed Over Apple's Lack of Action Over Bricked iPhones in Australia
Error 53 has been bricking iPhones and iPads across Australia and its effect is seemingly widespread. But Apple's reported lack of action on the matter forced the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to file a lawsuit against the technology company.
In a statement released earlier this week, the ACCC claimed they had put up an investigation to look into Error 53 and it turns out that the said problem emerges when iPhone and iPad users download and install the latest iOS software updates. The said issue has been identified since February 2016.
However, the bigger problem, according to the ACCC, is "many consumers who experienced error 53 had previously had their Apple device repaired by a third party; usually replacing a cracked screen."
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"The ACCC investigation revealed that Apple appears to have routinely refused to look at or service consumers' defective devices if a consumer had previously had the device repaired by a third party repairer, even where that repair was unrelated to the fault," the ACCC added.
The ACCC maintains that certain provisions in the Australian Consumer Law ensures that citizens of the country have access to "certain remedies at no cost" when necessary.
Australian consumers are ensured to get rightful remedies once products are proven to be of unacceptable quality that obstructs it from serving its purpose. Provisions of the said law, as mentioned by the ACCC, also state that the services to be rendered are not limited within the period determined by the manufacturer's warranty.
The same statement mentioned that Apple has been arguing that consumers were told that the warranty service is rendered void once they bring the device to be fixed by a third-party entity that Apple reportedly calls "unauthorised repairers."
On the other hand, the ACCC countered that Apple's policy cannot supersede the Australian consumer's right to get their products serviced or fixed if the company is proven to have not complied with the said consumer guarantee support by the country's laws.
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims further reiterated in the same statement that the Australian Consumer Law is independent from Apple's manufacturer's warranty policy.
According to reports, the lawsuit demands that Apple should be held accountable for a penalty that amounts to as much as 1.1 million Australian dollars or around $829,000. However, that is a matter yet to be looked into by the Federal Court of Australia as the lawsuit rolls on.
