The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking Samsung to court over allegations misleading and deceptive representations in advertising the water resistance of various ‘Galaxy’ branded mobile phones.
Since around February 2016, Samsung has widely advertised on social media, online, TV, billboards, brochures and other media that the Galaxy phones are water resistant and depicted them being used in, or exposed to, oceans and swimming pools.
“The ACCC alleges Samsung’s advertisements falsely and misleadingly represented Galaxy phones would be suitable for use in, or for exposure to, all types of water, including in ocean water and swimming pools, and would not be affected by such exposure to water for the life of the phone, when this was not the case,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.
The ACCC alleges that Samsung did not sufficiently test its phones to back its advertised claims, and denied warranty claims from users whose phones were damaged in water.
Samsung’s Galaxy phones advertised as water resistant typically cost more than those that are not, the ACCC said.
Samsung said it intends to defend the proceedings. “Samsung stands by its marketing and advertising of the water resistancy of its smartphones,” Samsung Australia said in a statement.
“We are also confident that we provide customers with free-of-charge remedies in a manner consistent with Samsung’s obligations under its manufacturer warranty and the Australian Consumer Law.”
>Juthy Saha
