Apple India Ordered to Pay ₹1 Lakh Over Misleading ‘iPhone Findable’ Feature

Apple India has been directed to compensate a consumer after a dispute related to the traceability of a stolen iPhone.  

The case centred on how a feature displayed on the device was interpreted by the user and whether sufficient clarity was provided regarding its functionality. 

Complaint Over Device Traceability After Theft 

The case was filed by a Delhi-based consumer who had purchased an iPhone 13 in February 2022. The device was stolen from his residence in September the same year, following which a police complaint was lodged. 

The user relied on the message displayed on the phone stating that it could be located even after being switched off.  

However, despite attempting to track the device through official support channels and authorised outlets, the phone could not be traced. He claimed that this resulted in distress and inconvenience, leading him to seek a refund, compensation, and legal costs. 

Apple’s Defence and Commission’s Findings 

Apple India argued that locating stolen devices is not its responsibility and rests with law enforcement agencies. It also clarified that the tracking feature works only when the “Find My” function is activated in advance and when the device remains connected to a network. The company stated that the complainant had enabled this feature only after the theft occurred. 

However, the Commission observed that the message shown on the device did not clearly communicate these conditions. It noted that the statement could give users the impression that the feature works unconditionally, without highlighting the need to enable specific settings beforehand. 

The bench, comprising Monika A Srivastava and Kiran Kaushal, held that the absence of clear and upfront communication amounted to a gap in service. It emphasised that users were not adequately guided about the limitations of the feature at the time of use. 

Read More: Apple’s iPhone Production in India May Hit $70 Billion Over 5 Years Amid Export Growth: Report! 

Conclusion 

The ruling highlights the importance of clear communication in consumer-facing technology features. The Commission directed Apple India to pay ₹1 lakh as compensation, noting that incomplete information can lead to user misunderstanding and impact consumer trust. 

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