Union Minister announces notice to Apple over iPhone performance issues after iOS 18 update

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on Thursday that the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to Apple Inc. regarding reported performance issues 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 stated in a post on X.

Explanation Sought from Apple

The notice demands an explanation from Apple regarding the technical issues that users have reported after the iOS 18 update on iPhones. Complaints related to these performance issues have been received through the National Consumer Helpline, according to reports. This notice marks the latest in a series of regulatory concerns about the tech giant's operations in India, a critical market for smartphone manufacturers like Apple.

Previous Warnings to Apple

The Indian government had issued warnings to some Apple users last year due to two software vulnerabilities that could lead to "unauthorized access, data theft or control (by hackers) of the affected system." The advisory, issued by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, highlighted the 'high' severity of the issue which impacted Intel-based Mac systems, including macOS, iOS and iPadOS devices. Earlier, the Centre had flagged multiple vulnerabilities in Apple products, including iPhones, that could result in spoofing or leakage of sensitive data from the device.

India's Role in iPhone Sales and Declining Market Share

Apple CEO Tim Cook had previously acknowledged India's significant role in the global success of iPhone sales. However, reports from last week revealed that Apple’s global iPhone sales had declined by 5% in the final quarter of 2024, attributed to unremarkable upgrades and the increasing competition from rivals in China. Apple's market share in the iPhone segment also fell to 18% in 2024 as Chinese competitors, led by Xiaomi Corp and Vivo, gained ground. As a result, Apple’s stock price dropped by as much as 3%, falling to ₹19,080.16 on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday.