Italian Competition Authority, Autorità Garante Della
Concorrenza E Del Mercato ("AGCM"), has
fined Apple and Samsung1 on 24 October 2018 due to
"planned obsolescence" of their
smartphones as they have been slowing down their old phones over
the time by implementing inappropriate software and thus, promoting
sales of new products.
AGCM initiated an investigation concerning particular smartphone
software updates that have a negative influence on smartphones in
January.2 Apple and Samsung were accused of releasing
software updates which slow down their old smartphones and
consequently stimulating the purchase of brand new
smartphones.3 The Italian executives stated that Apple
and Samsung have induced unfair commercial practices and such
practices expedited replacement of phones. It was indicated that
neither Samsung nor Apple have provided information regarding the
novelty of the implemented new software or any means of restoring
the original functionality of the
