'Performance issues' with iPhones draw notice to Apple, says Union minister

Pralhad Joshi, the minister of consumer affairs, announced on Thursday that Apple Inc. has received a notice from the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regarding purported performance problems with iPhones following the iOS 18 software update.

"The department, after examining these grievances, has issued a notice to #Apple through the CCPA, seeking a response on the matter," Joshi said in a post on X.

Apple was contacted for a response

The notice asked Apple to provide an explanation for the reported technical problems that occurred after the iPhone software update.

Notably, according to news agency PTI, the National Consumer Helpline has received complaints related to the performance issues.

Given that India is Apple's primary growth market for smartphone manufacturers, the notice represents the most recent regulatory criticism of the tech giant's activities in that country.

Two software flaws that could lead to a "high risk of unauthorised access, data theft, or gain control (by hackers) of the affected system" were the reason why the central government warned some Apple users last year.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) released an advisory stating that the "high" severity problem reportedly affected Intel-based Mac systems, which include macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices.

Sensitive information could be spoofing or leaked from Apple products, including iPhones, due to "multiple vulnerabilities" that the Center had previously identified.

Last year, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, also highlighted India's contribution to the success of iPhone sales worldwide.

However, it was revealed last week that Apple Inc.'s iPhone sales worldwide fell 5% in the last quarter of 2024 as a result of poor upgrades and Chinese competition.

In 2024, the iPhone's market share fell to 18%, primarily due to the entry of Chinese competitors Vivo and Xiaomi Corp.

Due to all of this, Apple's stock fell as much as 3% on Monday to $229.72 on the New York Stock Exchange.