Apple AS Refusal Halted... 'Consumer Repair Rights Protection Act' to Be Introduced

National Assembly Vice Speaker Kim Sang-hee Introduces Bill on the 13th

On the 2nd, the domestic release date of the new iPhone, customers are trying out the new iPhone at the Apple Garosugil store in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] # Mr. A, an 'iPhone XS' user. In September 2019, he visited an authorized service center due to a cracked screen and requested after-sales service (AS). However, Apple refused, stating that "unauthorized modifications make repairs difficult, and all warranties including the compensation program 'AppleCare Plus' cannot be applied." Mr. A filed a complaint with the Korea Consumer Agency, arguing that "I subscribed to AppleCare Plus, and there was no unauthorized modification, private repair, or disassembly, so unilaterally refusing repairs is unfair," demanding free warranty service.

Amid global criticism of Apple's AS restrictions, Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee of the National Assembly proposed the so-called 'Consumer Repair Rights Protection Act (Amendment to the Act on the Improvement of Distribution Structure of Mobile Communication Terminals)' on the 13th to guarantee domestic mobile phone repair rights.

This bill aims to prohibit mobile phone manufacturers from refusing or delaying the supply or sale of parts and equipment necessary for phone repairs without reasonable grounds, and from installing or operating software that restricts phone repairs. If violated, the Korea Communications Commission will conduct fact-finding investigations and impose corrective orders or fines.

Similar legislative movements are active in the United States. The Biden administration announced an 'Executive Order to Promote Competition in the American Economy' that prohibits manufacturers from refusing AS to consumers who repair their devices themselves or through third parties, aiming to curb Apple's closed AS policy. This is why there are increasing calls domestically to legally guarantee consumer repair rights.

If the amendment passes, in cases like Mr. A and Mr. B reported to the Consumer Agency above, Apple, the manufacturer of the purchased devices, will no longer be able to refuse repairs on grounds unrelated to unauthorized modifications or defects. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT’s interpretation, this amendment will also apply to tablet repair policies beyond mobile phones. As originally intended, it may lead to a reduction in household communication expenses.

Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee emphasized, "With LG's recent withdrawal from the mobile phone business, the domestic device market has become dominated by Apple and Samsung. Especially, Apple's closed repair policy greatly undermines consumer repair rights, and such a closed policy should be prevented from increasing the burden of household communication expenses on the public."

Kim added, "I hope the amendment will be passed as soon as possible so that domestic consumers can enjoy repair rights equal to overseas consumers, and that competition in the mobile phone repair market will be revitalized, boosting the economy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.