[2021 National Audit] Kim Sang-hee: "Apple Repairs Vary... Reasons for Repair Refusal Are Confidential"

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] As the Biden administration in the United States issued an executive order stating that Apple's iPhone and iPad after-sales service (AS) policy's "repair restriction practices are unfair," it has been found that Apple has also been conducting AS in South Korea based on unclear standards.

According to data on Apple device damage relief from 2017 to June of this year, submitted by the Korea Consumer Agency to Kim Sang-hee, Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Communications Committee (Democratic Party), Apple has avoided providing reasons for repair refusal of iPhones and iPads by citing confidentiality.

The data shows that Apple has taken differing positions, such as stating that it "recognizes unauthorized modifications but exceptionally proceeds with repairs for amicable adjustments," or "provides free replacements exceptionally because it is judged that determining modification status will take a long time," while also refusing to present evidence for modification judgments by saying "the device was judged to be modified based on its condition, but the basis for this judgment is confidential."

Vice Chairperson Kim Sang-hee asserted, "Due to Apple's closed AS policy and abuse of its monopolistic position, consumers burdened by high repair costs are inevitably turning to private repair shops or self-repair, but Apple excludes devices with traces of unauthorized modifications from repairs."

She added, "The Ministry of Science and ICT should strive to reduce household communication expenses, including device repair costs, and the office of the lawmaker who proposed the Device Repair Rights Guarantee Act (an amendment to the Device Distribution Act) last September should promptly pass the bill to take the lead in lowering household communication expenses."

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