Samsung sued in Australia for false advertisement
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing Samsung Australia because of false advertisement of the Samsung Galaxy S10 series. According to the ACCC, the company has shown over 300 ads where the phone was used in typically saltwater environments, even though the IP rating only covers fresh water.
The regulator says the marketing campaign also made consumers believe their phones would still work even after being exposed to the salty water that is surrounding the country. The campaign branded the phone as being “Built for Australia”.
ACCC claims that Samsung did not conduct any test on how non-fresh water could affect the phone. The chairman Rod Sims said that even Samsung acknowledged that water resistance is an important factor for Australian customers. He also says the company’s advertisements “denied consumers an informed choice and gave Samsung an unfair competitive advantage.”
The IP code contains two digits – the first one for dust and the second one for water resistance. However, it only applies to fresh water and doesn’t cover much more corrosive ocean water.