{"id":21693,"date":"2022-12-07T17:00:14","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T17:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/07\/french-environment-group-files-complaint-over-iphone-repair-practices\/"},"modified":"2022-12-07T17:00:14","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T17:00:14","slug":"french-environment-group-files-complaint-over-iphone-repair-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/07\/french-environment-group-files-complaint-over-iphone-repair-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"French environment group files complaint over iPhone repair practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

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iPhone repair<\/p>\n


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A French environmental group has filed a complaint against Apple because the company restricts the use of “unauthorized” parts in iPhone<\/a> repairs. <\/p>\n

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The complaint targets a practice Apple uses for its devices, called pairing. It associates the serial numbers of components with a specific iPhone to make sure the repair parts are genuine<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The “Halte L’Obsolescence Programmee” (HOP) group says Apple limits repairs, especially from non-authorized repair providers. In some instances documented in the complaint, malfunctions were found where the device was repaired with a part Apple didn’t authorize. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As one example, the group mentions that an iOS 16 update made an iPhone XR unusable because of a repair to a touch sceen. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“If Apple wants to hinder independent repair and the development of reconditioning, justice must hinder these anachronistic, irresponsible and illegal practices,” said Samuel Sauvage, co-founder of the association. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In a similar case<\/a> brought to a French consumer watchdog, Apple agreed to pay 25 million euros ($26.32 million) for slowing down certain older iPhone models that had a depleted battery to prevent crashing. It led to dozens of lawsuits, an official apology from Apple, and an inexpensive battery replacement program. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As pointed out in a report from<\/a> Reuters<\/em>, it’s forbidden under French law to deliberately reduce the lifespan of a product to increase its replacement rate. It’s not clear how part pairing does this, however. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Apple launched<\/a> a Self Service Repair program in the US in April 2022, with a dedicated store for ordering official iPhone replacement parts. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In early December, the program expanded<\/a> to eight countries in Europe, including France. The Self Service Repair Store includes over 200 parts, tools, and manuals \u2014 and includes part pairing when necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n