Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Projects:Laws

2026-05-14T03:24:38Z

Tracerneo: /* Active laws */ link to section

Despite being called the Consumer Rights Wiki, we have surprisingly few pages on consumer rights laws... Let's change that!

The purpose of this project page is to organise the creation of articles about consumer-relevant laws from around the world. It's been started off with a few red links as well as the articles and countries we already have, but please do go ahead an add in more. Laws discussed by the wiki do not have to be explicitly consumer-rights focused, so things like laws focusing on how consumer products can be prepared (e.g. food standards laws) can be included.

There are two types of pages that we want to create here. The first are pages about existing laws that are in force, and the second are laws which are either current proposals, or past proposals that failed to become law and have since been dropped.
==Guidance for page creation==
The kinds of details which would be useful to have on a page about a law include (but are not limited to):
* The date the law was enacted
* The date from which enforcement began (if different from the enactment date)
* What the law aims to achieve
* A summary of the key provisions and requirements
* The debate and controversy surrounding its enactment
* Any notable amendments since the original enactment
* Retrospective assessments of how effective the law has been in practice (cited)
* Relevant enforcement bodies or agencies responsible for the law
* Notable enforcement actions or court cases related to the law

To help keep things sane for readers, any page about a proposed or failed law should include some term like 'draft' or 'proposed' in the page name to make it clear to readers that the law described within is not active.

At the moment, we do not have a specific page template or any metadata collection for pages about laws. The only real rules are that they need to follow all the standard wiki guidelines, as well as be included in the relevant category (e.g. laws of the United Kingdom) so that readers can find them. One of the big things here is that article writers should not attempt to interpret the laws themselves, and instead should rely on citations to back up any statements about what the laws mean in practice. If you find or create a format you really like and you think could be generally applicable to pages about laws, feel free to propose that it be made into the default.

If you spot any articles about laws already on the wiki but which haven't been included on this page, please add them in!

==Active laws==
{| class="wikitable"
! Country/Region !! State/Province !! Law
|-
| rowspan="6" | United States
| rowspan="3" | —
| [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]
|-
| [[Uniform Commercial Code]]
|-
| [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Colorado
| [[Colorado law 'Consumer Right To Repair Powered Wheelchairs']]
|-
| [[The Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronics Equipment Act (Colorado)|The Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronics Equipment Act]]
|-
| Texas
| [[Texas Data Privacy and Security Act]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | United Kingdom
| rowspan="2" | —
| [[UK Online Safety Act]]
|-
| [[Consumer Rights Act 2015]]
|-
| [[European Union]]
| —
| {{Main|European Union#Consumer rights legislation}}
|-
| Brazil
| —
| [[Consumer_Defense_Code]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Chile
| rowspan="2" | —
| [[Phone Number Prefix Normative]]
|-
| [[Personal Data Protection Law]]
|-
| Malaysia
| —
| [[Malaysia_Online_Safety_Act_2025_(ONSA)]]
|-
| South Korea
| —
| [[Personal Information Protection Act]]
|-
| Australia
| —
| [[Australia Competition and Consumer Act 2010]]
|-
| New Zealand
| —
| [[Aotearoa/New Zealand consumer law]]
|}

==Proposed laws==
{| class="wikitable"
! Country/Region !! State/Province !! Law
|-
| rowspan="12" | United States
| —
| [[Unlocking Technology Act of 2013]]
|-
| —
| [[HR 8250]]
|-
| —
| [[HR 8470]]
|-
| —
| [[SB 3062]]
|-
| California
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|AB-2047 - Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology.]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Colorado
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|HB26-1144 - Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components Type]]
|-
| [[Colorado SB26-090 critical infrastructure exemption]]
|-
| Illinois
| [[Illinois House Bill 5511 (2026)]]
|-
| New York State
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|Assembly Bill A2228 - Relates to criminal history background checks for the purchase of three-dimensional printers capable of creating firearms.]]
|-
| Texas
| [[Texas Senate Bill 2420 (2025)]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Washington
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|HB 2320 - 2025-26 Concerning the regulation of firearm manufacturing.]]
|-
| [[Washington house bill 2321 regarding 3d printers|HB 2321 - 2025-26 Requiring three-dimensional printers be equipped with certain blocking technologies.]]
|-
| United Kingdom
| —
| [[UK Online Safety Act]]
|-
| Brazil
| —
|
|-
|-
| Chile
| —
| [[Law N° 17,336]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | EU
| rowspan="2" | —
| [[Chat_Control]]
|-
| [[Digital Fairness Act]]
|-
| Canada
| —
| [[Canadian Bill S-209]]
|}
[[Category:Projects]]

Projects:Laws

2026-05-14T03:23:48Z

Tracerneo: /* Active laws */ redirect EU to European Union article, which lists more laws

Despite being called the Consumer Rights Wiki, we have surprisingly few pages on consumer rights laws... Let's change that!

The purpose of this project page is to organise the creation of articles about consumer-relevant laws from around the world. It's been started off with a few red links as well as the articles and countries we already have, but please do go ahead an add in more. Laws discussed by the wiki do not have to be explicitly consumer-rights focused, so things like laws focusing on how consumer products can be prepared (e.g. food standards laws) can be included.

There are two types of pages that we want to create here. The first are pages about existing laws that are in force, and the second are laws which are either current proposals, or past proposals that failed to become law and have since been dropped.
==Guidance for page creation==
The kinds of details which would be useful to have on a page about a law include (but are not limited to):
* The date the law was enacted
* The date from which enforcement began (if different from the enactment date)
* What the law aims to achieve
* A summary of the key provisions and requirements
* The debate and controversy surrounding its enactment
* Any notable amendments since the original enactment
* Retrospective assessments of how effective the law has been in practice (cited)
* Relevant enforcement bodies or agencies responsible for the law
* Notable enforcement actions or court cases related to the law

To help keep things sane for readers, any page about a proposed or failed law should include some term like 'draft' or 'proposed' in the page name to make it clear to readers that the law described within is not active.

At the moment, we do not have a specific page template or any metadata collection for pages about laws. The only real rules are that they need to follow all the standard wiki guidelines, as well as be included in the relevant category (e.g. laws of the United Kingdom) so that readers can find them. One of the big things here is that article writers should not attempt to interpret the laws themselves, and instead should rely on citations to back up any statements about what the laws mean in practice. If you find or create a format you really like and you think could be generally applicable to pages about laws, feel free to propose that it be made into the default.

If you spot any articles about laws already on the wiki but which haven't been included on this page, please add them in!

==Active laws==
{| class="wikitable"
! Country/Region !! State/Province !! Law
|-
| rowspan="6" | United States
| rowspan="3" | —
| [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]
|-
| [[Uniform Commercial Code]]
|-
| [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Colorado
| [[Colorado law 'Consumer Right To Repair Powered Wheelchairs']]
|-
| [[The Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronics Equipment Act (Colorado)|The Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronics Equipment Act]]
|-
| Texas
| [[Texas Data Privacy and Security Act]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | United Kingdom
| rowspan="2" | —
| [[UK Online Safety Act]]
|-
| [[Consumer Rights Act 2015]]
|-
| [[European Union]]
| —
| {{Main|European Union}}
|-
| Brazil
| —
| [[Consumer_Defense_Code]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Chile
| rowspan="2" | —
| [[Phone Number Prefix Normative]]
|-
| [[Personal Data Protection Law]]
|-
| Malaysia
| —
| [[Malaysia_Online_Safety_Act_2025_(ONSA)]]
|-
| South Korea
| —
| [[Personal Information Protection Act]]
|-
| Australia
| —
| [[Australia Competition and Consumer Act 2010]]
|-
| New Zealand
| —
| [[Aotearoa/New Zealand consumer law]]
|}

==Proposed laws==
{| class="wikitable"
! Country/Region !! State/Province !! Law
|-
| rowspan="12" | United States
| —
| [[Unlocking Technology Act of 2013]]
|-
| —
| [[HR 8250]]
|-
| —
| [[HR 8470]]
|-
| —
| [[SB 3062]]
|-
| California
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|AB-2047 - Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology.]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Colorado
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|HB26-1144 - Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components Type]]
|-
| [[Colorado SB26-090 critical infrastructure exemption]]
|-
| Illinois
| [[Illinois House Bill 5511 (2026)]]
|-
| New York State
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|Assembly Bill A2228 - Relates to criminal history background checks for the purchase of three-dimensional printers capable of creating firearms.]]
|-
| Texas
| [[Texas Senate Bill 2420 (2025)]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | Washington
| [[3D Printing restrictions and bans|HB 2320 - 2025-26 Concerning the regulation of firearm manufacturing.]]
|-
| [[Washington house bill 2321 regarding 3d printers|HB 2321 - 2025-26 Requiring three-dimensional printers be equipped with certain blocking technologies.]]
|-
| United Kingdom
| —
| [[UK Online Safety Act]]
|-
| Brazil
| —
|
|-
|-
| Chile
| —
| [[Law N° 17,336]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | EU
| rowspan="2" | —
| [[Chat_Control]]
|-
| [[Digital Fairness Act]]
|-
| Canada
| —
| [[Canadian Bill S-209]]
|}
[[Category:Projects]]

Stop Killing Games

2026-05-14T03:13:03Z

Tracerneo: +cat

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Campaign started by advocate Ross W. Scott to keep video games functional after their discontinuation.
|Founded=2024
|Industry=Video Games, Consumer Rights
|Logo=Stop killing games.jpeg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=
|Website=https://www.stopkillinggames.com/
}}
'''Stop Killing Games''' ('''SKG''') is a campaign intended to spread awareness regarding publishers revoking licenses for consumers and removing game functionality so that they are no longer in a playable state. The campaign was announced on 2 April 2024 by Accursed Farms, better known as Ross W. Scott, an American [[YouTube|YouTuber]] and consumer activist who is best known for his Freeman's Mind series.

==Campaign history==
On 2 April 2024, Accursed Farms posted the video "The largest campaign ever to stop publishers destroying games".<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=2 Apr 2024 |title=The largest campaign ever to stop publishers destroying games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70Xc9CStoE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=w70Xc9CStoE |archive-date=12 Nov 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In the video, Ross Scott explains the issue with modern gaming, where video game publishers often take advantage of laws.

Ross W. Scott has a history of advocating for game preservation and decrying what he calls "war on ownership" for over 12 years.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@therealmrglanet2127 |date=12 May 2025 |title=Stop Killing Games: A History |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlOX3wRQvUg |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

===UK Parliament petition===
On 16 April 2024, a UK Parliament petition titled "Require videogame publishers to keep games they have sold in a working state"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author= |date=Dec 2023 |title=Require videogame publishers to keep games they have sold in a working state |url=https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/659071 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114231235/https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/659071 |archive-date=14 Nov 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=UK Parliament Petitions}}</ref> began collecting signatures. The petition intended to create laws to prevent publishers from removing the ability to play games after purchase. The UK government answered on 2 May 2024, but the petitions committee requested Government to revise their response. The Government declined to do so. The petition was subsequently closed on 30 May 2024 due to the UK general elections,<ref name=":0" /> preventing further signatures. It reached 27,341 signatures and was originally scheduled to close on 16 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |title=UK government responds to Stop Killing Games campaign |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/uk-government-responds-to-stop-killing-games-campaign |website=GamesIndustry |date=15 May 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515115455/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/uk-government-responds-to-stop-killing-games-campaign |archive-date=15 May 2024}}</ref>

On 14 January 2025, Lewis Evans created a petition titled "Prohibit publishers irrevocably disabling video games they have already sold"<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Lewis |date=14 Jan 2025 |title=Prohibit publishers irrevocably disabling video games they have already sold |url=https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/702074/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114104021/https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/702074/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=UK Parliament Petitions}}</ref> closely following the prematurely closed petition in 2024. It is yet to receive a government response and is due for one on January 30. Ross Scott published a video listing the events of the original petition, the government response and the creation of new petition.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=14 Jan 2025 |title=Stop Killing Games: UK Edition |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQnZ91mUB0E |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=NQnZ91mUB0E |archive-date=2 Feb 2026 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

On 3 February 2025, the UK Government responded to the Petition, "There are no plans to amend UK consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, and we will continue to monitor this issue."<ref name=":1" /> As of 2 July 2025, the petition reached the goal of 100,000 signatures to be considered for debate in the UK Parliament.

The Petition was debated by Parliament on 3 November 2025. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Stephanie Peacock, was the last speaker and provided the Government's position on the matter. The debate was adjourned without the Government having made any material changes from its view previously stated in February.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web
|last=Warren |first=Mark |title=Stop Killing Games' UK petition has been debated in parliament: "The law works, but companies may need to communicate better" |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stop-killing-games-uk-petition-has-been-debated-in-parliament-the-law-works-but-companies-may-need-to-communicate-better |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |date=3 Nov 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111002946/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stop-killing-games-uk-petition-has-been-debated-in-parliament-the-law-works-but-companies-may-need-to-communicate-better |archive-date=11 Nov 2025}}</ref>

===European Citizens' Initiative===
On 19 June 2024, "Stop Destroying Videogames" was registered as a European Citizens' Initiative by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures. Accursed Farms posted the video "Europeans can save gaming!" later the same day, encouraging European citizens to sign the initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=31 Jul 2024 |title=Europeans can save gaming! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkMe9MxxZiI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=mkMe9MxxZiI |archive-date=31 Jul 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

About a week later, Thor of Pirate Software published a video covering SKG, with the intent to negatively criticize SKG.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@PirateSoftware |date=6 Aug 2024 |title=Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioqSvLqB46Y |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ioqSvLqB46Y |archive-date=6 Aug 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Ross from Accursed Farms attempted to contact Thor about having false assumptions of the campaign's objectives. Ross cited Pirate Software's video as the primary cause for signatures drying up on the European Citizens' Initiative petition. Ross stated that they did not initially make a response video directed at Thor, because "it might look like drama farming" for the campaign, but when the deadline started drawing near, Ross went through with making a response on 23 June 2025, as a last-ditch effort to save the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=23 Jun 2025 |title=The end of Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIfRLujXtUo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=HIfRLujXtUo |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

For a European citizens' initiative to be valid, it must obtain at least one million valid signatures and meet the minimum thresholds in at least seven European Union countries. The deadline of the initiative was on 31 July 2025. By 25 June 2025, it had reached over 500,000 signatures, and finally met its goal of 1,000,000 on 3 July 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home |website=European Union Online Collection System |date= |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703072953/https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home |archive-date=3 Jul 2025}}</ref>

The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In the following three months, the signatures will be verified and validated by all state members.

In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Industry push back===
On 4 July 2025, one day after the campaign reached 1,000,000 signatures, [[Video Games Europe]], an industry lobby group, released an statement on Stop Killing Games<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Statement on Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/statement-on-stop-killing-games/ |website=Videogames Europe |date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704203228/https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/statement-on-stop-killing-games/ |archive-date=4 Jul 2025}}</ref> on their website and published a five-page position paper<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Why providing continued support do not work for all games |url=https://www.videogameseurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VGE-Position-Discontinuation-of-Support-to-Online-Games-04072025.pdf |website=Videogames Europe |date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=9 Jul 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704232256/https://www.videogameseurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VGE-Position-Discontinuation-of-Support-to-Online-Games-04072025.pdf |archive-date=4 Jul 2025}}</ref> against the campaign where it outlined perceived problems seen by the industry even though some of those perceived problems were already clarified by the lengthy FAQ section provided by the campaign.

Video Games Europe response was not only unsurprising but also expected since their board is composed from major publishers like [[Electronic Arts]], [[Ubisoft]], [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]] and [[Sony]], who see no problem in how the industry works today.

On 10 July 2025, Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot [[Ubisoft#Comments by executives on ownership|commented on the campaign]] during an investor meeting:
<blockquote>"We provide a service, but nothing is written in stone, and at some point the service may be discontinued. Nothing is eternal. And we do our best to make sure things go well for our players and buyers, because obviously support for old games cannot last forever."</blockquote>

On 21 July 2025, Ross Scott uploaded a video showcasing serious accusations made against the European initiative from an anonymous source.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=21 Jul 2025 |title=The industry filed false claims against the "Stop Killing Games" initiative |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQN_ZA5WRpo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=fQN_ZA5WRpo |archive-date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The accusations were relayed by the European Commission to Ross Scott and are: 
<blockquote>
1. False "No Funding" Declaration 
2. Systematic Concealment of Major Contribution</blockquote>

In the video Ross demonstrated how the accusations had no ground to stand on, and the process of communication that happened with the European Commission to verify the correctness of the campaign before it even began in July 2024. The document with the accusations can be found [https://mega.nz/file/W3YTHCqQ#i-D2f_fgILqBILJiavLwX-eh3pUPGnYeaQfdadiFH20 here].<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title= 250711SDVG_Complaint-1 .pdf |url=https://mega.nz/file/W3YTHCqQ#i-D2f_fgILqBILJiavLwX-eh3pUPGnYeaQfdadiFH20 |website=MEGA |date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918074346/https://mega.nz/file/W3YTHCqQ |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref>

The European Commission hasn't moved against or in favor of the accused yet as of 10 November 2025.

==Video game preservation==
{{Main|Video game preservation}}

There are also efforts to restore older games, or to allow the gaming community to have access to the source code of the games themselves. In 2025, there were several developments by major publishers, such as [[Valve]] and [[EA]]. Valve released the source code of {{Wplink|Team Fortress 2}} in February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Feb 2025 |title=The TF2 SDK has arrived! |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=238809 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218201538/https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=238809 |archive-date=18 Feb 2025 |access-date=10 Mar 2025 |website=Team Fortress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Feb 2025 |title=Valve Releases Team Fortress 2 Source Code, Now open to Modders |url=https://bitskins.com/blog/valve-releases-team-fortress-2-source-code-now-open-to-modders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310111654/https://bitskins.com/blog/valve-releases-team-fortress-2-source-code-now-open-to-modders/ |archive-date=10 Mar 2025 |access-date=10 Mar 2025 |website=BitSkins}}</ref> EA released the source code of [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|classic command and conquer titles]], also in February 2025.
==See Also==
*[[GOG.com]]
*[[Steam]]
*[[Valve]]
*[[EA]]
*[[Activision Blizzard]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Consumer activism]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]
[[Category:European Union]]

Template talk:Main Page/Consumer Tools

2026-05-14T02:14:56Z

Tracerneo: /* Safety Gate */ new section

==Multiple improvements==

I noticed this list seems to be pretty outdated. I thought of several changes that could improve this list:

#LocalCDN is [https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js/wiki/4.1-Extensions/#-dont-bother useless] according to arkenfox dev (fingerprinting expert).
#Remove https://www.scamadviser.com/ - another one of those useless sites for determining safety. So many false positives. The highlights it produces have so much room for error, they arent accurate measurements of risk. Its more effective to report actual scams/badware sites to uAssets so it can be blocked for everyone using it.
#Include Triage, preferrably in front of VT, as it tends to be better. Also remove the mention of using these to scan websites. Scanning websites proves nothing and is useless for determining safety. Sticking to uBO badware lists and trusted sites in several established online wikis is the way to go.
#For archive.today, the examples used are outdated, and the use of the word "excluded" isnt really meaningful. archive.today cant archive new twitter threads, but its good for reddit, and is especially useful for paywalled articles from many sites. Could be changed to "... Smaller internet archival service for unsupported IA websites (e.g: Reddit, Paywalled Articles, Facebook)". Facebook is only partially working (cant use image carousel, cant expand comment replies) so you you may or may not want to still keep that, I personally wouldnt.
#Under "dark pattern tracking" add https://privacyspy.org/ under (or above) TOSDR. Its better in some cases, so if TOSDR doesn't have what you're looking for, this might.
#Also add https://games.productartistry.com/games/dark-patterns which is another "dark pattern detective" kind of site. Havent tried it in a while, things might have changed, I know the dev was very receptive of feedback on a HN post at least. Worth testing again before adding.

That is all. [[User:Hugo9655|Hugo9655]] ([[User talk:Hugo9655|talk]]) 13:39, 8 November 2025 (UTC)

:I've changed the protection of this list such that you (and other autoconfirmed users) can edit it. The points you've made all seem reasonable!
:I assume archive.today can archive twitter if you archive the xcancel.com mirror of whatever you're wanting to archive on twitter? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 15:33, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
::Hey. Didnt think to use frontends, xcancel specifically got stuck at the "verifying request" page, but another one i tried (nitter.net) works fine. Still mention twitter then, but clarify that it works best with frontends only.
::Did you mean access to this discussion here or the tools page itself? [[User:Hugo9655|Hugo9655]] ([[User talk:Hugo9655|talk]]) 16:29, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
:::@[[User:Keith|Keith]] that won't work as cascading protection is turned on for the main page, which means that everything transcluded there won't be editable too like the main page no matter the protection settings. I'll fix it now [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|AnotherConsumerRightsPerson]] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 18:01, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
::::@[[User:Hugo9655|Hugo9655]] should work now [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|AnotherConsumerRightsPerson]] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 18:07, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
:::::Cool, ty. [[User:Hugo9655|Hugo9655]] ([[User talk:Hugo9655|talk]]) 18:58, 8 November 2025 (UTC)
::::Thank you very much! [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 01:41, 10 November 2025 (UTC)

== Safety Gate ==

Please add the following line to "Corporate accountability & recalls"
* [https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate/#/screen/home Safety Gate] – [[European Union|EU]] product recall and report site.
[[User:Tracerneo|Tracerneo]] ([[User talk:Tracerneo|talk]]) 02:14, 14 May 2026 (UTC)

European Union

2026-05-14T02:01:37Z

Tracerneo: /* Consumer rights legislation */ SLAPP

{{CompanyCargo
|CompanyAlias=EU
|Founded=1993
|Logo=Flag of Europe.svg
|Type=Government
|Website=https://european-union.europa.eu/
|Description=The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
}}
The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a political and [[wikipedia:economic union|economic union]] of 27 [[wikipedia:Member state of the European Union|member states]] that are [[wikipedia:Geography of the European Union|located primarily]] in Europe.

Article 169 of the [[wikipedia:TFEU|Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]] enables the EU to use its [[wikipedia:ordinary legislative procedure|ordinary legislative procedure]] to protect consumers "health, safety and economic interests" and promote rights to "information, education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests".<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Consolidated_version_of_the_Treaty_on_the_Functioning_of_the_European_Union/Title_XV:_Consumer_Protection art 169]</ref> All member states may grant higher protection, and a "high level of consumer protection" is regarded as a fundamental right.<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] art 169(3) and the [[wikipedia:CFREU|CFREU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Charter_of_Fundamental_Rights_of_the_European_Union#Article_38_.E2.80.93_Consumer_protection art 38]</ref>

==Consumer rights legislation==
* Product Liability Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/2853/oj 2024/2853]
** replacing [[wikipedia:Product Liability Directive 1985|Product Liability]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1985/374/oj 85/374/EEC]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Directive 1993|Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1993/13/oj 93/13/EEC]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005|Unfair Commercial Practices]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/29/oj 2005/29/EC]
* [[wikipedia:Consumer Rights Directive 2011|Consumer Rights]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/83/oj 2011/83/EU]
* [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (Regulation (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj 2016/679]) (''GDPR'')
* [[Digital Markets Act]] (Regulation (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj 2022/1925]) (''DMA'')
* Anti-[[SLAPP suits and legal intimidation|SLAPP]] Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj 2024/1069]
* [[Right to repair|Right To Repair]] Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1799/oj 2024/1799] (''R2RD'')

==Incidents==
This is a list of the most important consumer-protection incidents concerning European Union. Full list of relevant pages can be found under [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Stop Destroying Videogames (ECI)===
{{Main|Stop Killing Games}}
On 19 June 2024, "'''Stop Destroying Videogames'''" was registered as a '''European Citizens' Initiative''' by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures.

The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Apple

2026-05-14T01:44:10Z

Tracerneo: /* European Digital Markets Act */

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1976
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Apple logo (black).svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://apple.com/
|Description=Tech company known for hardware, software, and operating systems. Has repeatedly restricted device repairs, and exerts strict control over its software ecosystem
|CompanyAlias= Apple, Inc
}}

{{Wplink|Apple Inc.|'''Apple'''}} is an American technology company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.

Apple's current product lineup include iPhones hardware such as the [[:Category:iPhone|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, [[AirPods]], and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Repairability of Apple products in the 2000s===
Since the 2000s, Apple has focused on reducing the weight of its products as technology has advanced and become increasingly complex. This shift has contributed to challenges in repairing and upgrading their devices.

===Hardware design issues in the 2010s===
Apple had numerous hardware design issues in the 2010s, often poorly acknowledged by the company and frequently charging exorbitant amounts for repair.

*High-cost GPU failures on early 2010's MacBooks<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-28 |title=Apple faces class-action lawsuit over 2011 MacBook Pro GPU issues |url=https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010222822/https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |archive-date=2025-10-10 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=9to5mac}}</ref>
*the 2016-'17 MacBook Pro's screen cable skimping scandal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=2019-05-05 |title=Apple quietly addressed ‘Flexgate’ issue with MacBook Pro redesign |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251224195648/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |archive-date=2025-12-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*2016-2019 MacBooks butterfly keyboards<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2020-05-04 |title=The saga of Apple’s bad butterfly MacBook keyboards is finally over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128222108/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |archive-date=2026-01-28 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro's SSD failures<ref>{{Cite web |last=digilloyd |date=2020-04-03 |title=2019 MacBook Pro Seems to Have a High Failure Rate |url=https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708181056/https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Mac Performance Guide}}</ref>
*The announcement and cancellation of Apple AirPower<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panzarino |first=Matthew |title=Apple cancels AirPower product, citing inability to meet its high standards for hardware |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401040644/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-date=2019-04-01 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clover |first=Juli |date=2018-09-12 |title=After No Sign of AirPower at Today's Event Apple Wipes Most Mentions From Website |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124170507/https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |archive-date=2021-11-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=MacRumors}}</ref> due to overheating{{CitationNeeded|reason=no archived article mentioning overheating specifically}}

====Recent attempts to do better====
Recently, Apple has made efforts to improve its products, though some observers feel that its pro-consumer practices still do not match those of certain other manufacturers. This shift is thought by some to be influenced by evolving legislation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=2022-10-26 |title=Apple to put USB-C connectors in iPhones to comply with EU rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212030935/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |archive-date=2026-02-12 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> 

This includes:

*Opening an online [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] parts store.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Apple announces Self Service Repair |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203201914/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-date=2026-02-03 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Apple Newsroom}}</ref>
*Making the back glass of iPhones removable starting from iPhone 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiens |first=Kyle |date=2022-09-16 |title=Inside Apple’s Secret iPhone 14 Redesign |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116032657/https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |archive-date=2026-01-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixIt}}</ref>
*Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new EU legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installing apps through alternative app distribution in the European Union |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223191001/https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |archive-date=2025-12-23 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
*Calibration tools for newly installed used parts in iOS 18,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Use Repair Assistant to finish an iPhone or iPad repair |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208125243/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref> which sometimes work.{{CitationNeeded}}
*An upgradeable, swappable SSD in the 2024 Mac Mini - albeit you cannot swap these units between M4 and M4 Pro units due to the internal casing's design being different without much good reason.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorrel |first=Charlie |date=2024-11-12 |title=All Hail the Return of Upgradeable Storage! Mac mini 2024 Teardown |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116041530/https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |archive-date=2025-11-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixit}}</ref>
*A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone 16 Plus Battery |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018203540/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |archive-date=2025-10-18 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
Many of these items have sparked allegations of [[malicious compliance]] and being introduced purely to make stricter right for repair legislation appear unnecessary to legislators while not doing much to improve the situation for consumers. 

For instance, pricing for parts on the [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] store is virtually identical to having the part replaced by Apple themselves (including both the price of the part and labor)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganapini |first=Cristina |date=2022-12-06 |title=Apple’s self-repair programme is not the Right to Repair we need |url=https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209051628/https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-date=2026-02-09 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Right to Repair Europe}}</ref>, alternate app installation options are limited to users in the EU, still [[Forced account|require developers to be registered]] with Apple, have them approve the apps and in many cases paying them fees, and the upgradeable SSDs do not use common standards such as M.2 NVME. Unlike standard SSDs, they are also not always swappable between different models and require access to a second Apple computer to provision after installation.

===Operating system downgrades===
[[File:Macos startup security.png|alt=macOS startup security screen|thumb|macOS startup security screen]]
It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version that is no longer signed by Apple. In most cases, only the most recent version is signed. Some exceptions exist, such as certain Apple TV models and Apple Silicon Macs. Downgrading the Apple TV 4K series is not possible at all due to the lack of a USB port. On Macs with a T2 chip, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

*No Security: Allow any OS to run (same as turning off secure boot on a PC).
*Medium Security: Allow any OS that is signed with a secure boot certificate (default, same as turning on secure boot on a PC).
*Full Security: Only allow the latest version of macOS, do not allow any other OS.

On Macs with Apple Silicon, the user can select from two modes of secure boot:

*Permissive Security: Accessible only via recovery Terminal tools (and still enforces Apple’s secure chain for much of the boot). This is the lowest available security policy on Apple silicon but does not remove secure boot entirely in the way “No Security” used to.
*Reduced Security: Allows booting older versions of macOS trusted by Apple but still enforces signed OS policy.
*Full Security: Only the currently signed macOS version trusted by Apple can boot.

iOS devices only support Full Security mode. The device checks for a cryptographic "ticket",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=APTicket |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216234725/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> which are tied to the OS version and CPU serial number. These are provided by a server, which only provides them for the latest version (with very specific exceptions). The device refuses to boot if the ticket does not match. Workarounds exist, but with major caveats that are not viable for most users,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Firmware rendering |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021213054/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |archive-date=2025-10-21 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> see the technical details on [[wikipedia:SHSH_blob|SHSH blobs]].

===Class action lawsuit===
Apple was the defendant of a class-action lawsuit with claims dating back to 2017 where users noticed their phones were being artificially slowed down. Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit for up to $500 million USD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Gael |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=Apple Starts Sending Out iPhone 'Batterygate' Settlement Payments. What to Know |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321051703/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref> Apple claimed that this change was to benefit users who have old failing batteries, and that it wasn't for planned obsolescence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napolitano |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-08-18 |title=Millions of Apple customers to get payments of up to $90 in iPhone "batterygate" settlement. Here's what to know. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228042055/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|website=CBS News}}</ref> They later published software updates and an article explaining how users can opt out of this new "performance management" mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone battery and performance |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250618231138/https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |archive-date=18 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

Once a new OS version is installed, there is no opportunity to go back. This also restricts the user's choice to {{Wplink|iOS jailbreaking|jailbreak}} the device, as the latest version naturally has patches for the latest jailbreak exploits. App developers also require access to earlier iOS versions to test that their app works correctly. The alternative, Xcode's iOS Simulator, is not a complete replacement for real hardware, as it does not have all features of a physical device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vajpai |first=Shreeti |date=24 Jun 2024 |title=iOS Emulators / Simulators vs Real iOS Devices |url=https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519081214/https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |archive-date=19 May 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=ContextQA}}</ref> Instead, app developers are forced to purchase several test devices, and remember to ''never'' allow them to update.

===Parts availability===
Many parts are not available directly from Apple. Those that are available directly from Apple may be more expensive than paying Apple to repair your device.{{CitationNeeded|reason=add citation with proof of this}} Parts available to certified repair centers are extremely limited.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}} Apple does not stock current generation iPad parts within GSX (See Certified Repair Centers). A limited selection of iPad parts are available from iFixit, however this can exclude some flex PCBs necessary for repairing headphone jacks.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}}

If an Apple iPhone has GPS calibration issues and or {{Wplink|Bluetooth}} connectivity issues, Apple will do their own diagnostics. You explain to the Apple employee how and when the issues occur and you explain in detail your methods to reproduce the issues. The issues occur when your phone is in your pocket while using navigation and when you hold your phone upside down while using your Apple Beats wireless headphones. After Apple runs their diagnostics and they are not able to detect the issues, they will move onto the next step which is fully resetting your device. This is considered a standard troubleshooting procedure. When you ask the Apple store manager if they would be willing to exchange your device for a similar model if they cannot fix your device they respond with "No, because these phones are designed to be fixed". After the software reset fail, Apple will require you to leave your phone with them so they can send it to their offsite repair facility for further diagnostics. After a few days, Apple will come to the conclusion that your phone requires an entire new midsection. When asked what was replaced, Apple will inform you that the entire inside has been replaced — essentially giving you a new phone (with a new IMEI, EID, etc.) apart from the casing and screen. {{CitationNeeded}}

===Diagnostic software availability===
Calibration software for some Apple devices has only recently become available to end users. End user calibration tools have only become accessible in iOS 18. Similar calibration tools have been available to Certified Repair Centers, but are generally limited as many parts are serialized, i.e. lid sensors on MacBooks. {{CitationNeeded}}

===Certified repair centers===
Certified Repair Centers have some limited access to Apple's proprietary backend (GSX2). GSX contains many tools necessary to repair devices such as diagnostic tools, calibration tools, parts catalog, and device repair history. GSX is only accessible to repair centers Apple deems certified. GSX does not stock parts for iPads. It does not allow the calibration of parts such as lid sensors for a device, if that device does not have an open repair and purchased parts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Jan 2017 |title=GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY |url-status=live}}</ref> {{CitationNeeded|reason=add an archive and properly cite this}}The new iOS 18 calibration tool is very similar to Apple's ASU (GSX's diagnostic/calibration tool). Some videos of GSX can be found online. See: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius]

===Advertisements in first party apps===
In 2014, Apple and the band U2 partnered to give all iTunes users a free digital copy of their newest album at the time, ''Songs of Innocence'', which was marketed as "the biggest album release ever in history".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|title=Apple & U2 Release “Songs of Innocence” Exclusively for iTunes Store Customers|date=2014-09-09|work=Apple Newsroom|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405230217/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|archive-date=2025-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> Many users who didn't want the album couldn't remove it from their iTunes library due to the album being listed as a "past purchase" on their account (however the album could always be "hidden").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|title=Apple's Devious U2 Album Giveaway Is Even Worse Than Spam|date=2014-09-16|first=Vijith|last=Assar|work=WIRED|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530112829/https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|archive-date=2025-05-30|url-status=live}}</ref> Some reports speculated the deal was worth 100 million dollars and was done due to the band's declining popularity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|title=Apple's U2 Album Promotion Backfires|first=Nathan|last=Rott|date=2014-09-15|work=NPR|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601154245/https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|archive-date=2025-06-01|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Bono, a member of U2, wrote in his memoir how Tim Cook reportedly said how "there’s something not right about giving [U2's] art away for free" and "the whole point of what we’re trying to do at Apple is to not give away music free. The point is to make sure musicians get paid".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|title=Apple CEO Tim Cook thought U2 putting its album on your iPhone was ‘not right’—even though he did it anyway|first=Tristan|last=Bove|date=2022-10-24|work=Fortune|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127191141/https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|archive-date=2025-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Apple added a promotional offer for F1 The Movie in their Wallet application.<ref>{{Cite web |title=F1 The Movie - News |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109164811/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Apple TV+ Press}}</ref> Users have mentioned how this could violate Apple's own policy on advertising, how the high price of Apple devices shouldn't justify first party ads, and the annoyance of seeing it.<ref>{{Cite web |author=u/african-nightmare |date=2025-06-24 |title=Getting ads in Apple Wallet, how to disable? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725194601/https://old.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=Reddit}}</ref> For users on the iOS 26 beta, there is an option to disable "Offers & Promotions", with users on iOS 18 needing to disable notifications completely for the Wallet app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|title=iPhone customers upset by Apple Wallet ad pushing ‘F1’ movie|first=Sarah|last=Perez|date=2025-06-24|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624213223/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|archive-date=2025-06-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (1).jpg|Notification of the offer
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (2).jpg|Home screen of Wallet app
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (3).jpg|Apple Cash card screen
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (4).png|Screen when selecting "learn more"
</gallery>

===AirDrop censorship (''2022'')===
{{Main|AirDrop Hong Kong censorship}}
[[File:AirDrop restrictions.png|alt=Airdrop Sharing Restrictions photo|thumb|Airdrop Sharing Restrictions]]
As a result of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Apple was pressured by the Chinese government to set a time limit for the AirDrop "everyone" option for iPhones due to its impact at scheduling protests against the government to avoid censorship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|title=Apple limits AirDrop in China after its use in protests|first=Jess|last=Weatherbed|date=2022-11-10|work=The Verge|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723112204/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the setting was applied to all iPhones worldwide to "mitigate unwanted file sharing", meaning users will need to set their airdrop setting manually every ten minutes instead of leaving it on permanently, leaving the only other options as "contacts only" and "receiving off".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|title=Apple globally censoring this iPhone communication feature deserves renewed scrutiny|first=Zac|last=Hall|date=2025-03-17|work=9To5Mac|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723142521/https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

==="Peanuts" TV Special Takeover===
In late October of 2020, Apple announced that its Apple TV+ service had become the exclusive home of the library of classic ''Peanuts'' animated specials, including ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'', ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'', and ''A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving''. For almost 50 years, these beloved specials were shown once a year on free over-the-air TV, but as of 2020, anybody who wishes to watch them is now required to own a device that offers the Apple TV+ service and an active Apple TV+ subscription.<ref>{{cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=2020-10-19 |title=Apple TV+ Says: Welcome, Great Pumpkin |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208132132/https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2025-11-05 |work=Vulture}}</ref>

===2024 Antitrust Lawsuit===
In March 2024, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple claiming that the "closed garden" ecosystem Apple creates surrounding its iPhones stifles competition and innovation. The lawsuit alleges that Apple is directly forcing customers to purchase and use iPhones and their accessories and software in several ways:

*Forcing mobile carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to offer its best customer deals exclusively to those who purchase iPhones.
*Restricting the functionality of Super apps such as WeChat.
*Forcing in-app purchases through applications such as Fortnite to be made within the App Store and taking a part of the proceeds as commission pay.
*Restricting the use of third-party digital wallets and requiring users to exclusively use Apple Pay.
*Restricting how third-party message apps can interact with iMessage.
*Restricting their HomeKit home automation system and all compatible devices to work only on Apple's products and issuing cease & desist orders against emulators designed to make HomeKit compatible with third-party products.
*Restricting compatibility of third party smart watches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=U.S and Plaintiff States v. Apple Inc. |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221190000/https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |archive-date=2026-02-21 |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=United States Department of Justice}}</ref>{{CitationNeeded|reason=make sure the source beside this is the actual antitrust case.}}

Apple is expected to go to trial in early 2027.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liedtke |first=Michael |date=2025-06-30 |title=Judge allows antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205235908/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |archive-date=2026-02-05 |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>

===European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380===
As part of Directive (EU) 2022/2380, the [[European Union]] mandated that all smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and other portable electronic devices must utilize USB-C as a universal charging standard by the end of 2024, with laptops following by 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817091803/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>

This regulatory measure directly addresses consumer frustration with incompatible chargers types and aims to significantly reduce electronic waste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=USB-C-Standard: Schluss mit dem Kabelwirrwarr |url=https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=zdfheute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215214259/https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> The legislation allows manufacturers to unbundle chargers from devices, potentially saving consumers money, and ensures charging speed harmonization across compatible devices.

While Apple initially opposed the standardization, arguing that it would "stifle innovation rather than encourage it," the company ultimately conceded defeat, with Apple's head of marketing stating "we have no choice" regarding compliance. <ref name=":2" />

===European Digital Markets Act===
{{Main|Digital Markets Act}}
This law forced many companies including Apple to change the way they operate to create a fairer competition.

====Changes Apple introduced iOS and iPadOS to comply with this law:====

*Introduced the ability to install applications from alternative marketplaces
*asks which browser and search engine should be the default one
*Developers now are allowed to publish in the EU browsers that do not use webkit

====Controversies:====

*Apple removed iPhone torrenting app iTorrent from alternative marketplace AltStore PAL, developer said that the access was revoked "without any warning". In a statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian said, “Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903102041/https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

===Elon Musk Lawsuit===
In August of 2025, businessman [[Elon Musk]] accused Apple of engaging in anti-competitive practices by only allowing OpenAI’s [[ChatGPT]] to reach the top of the sales chart on Apple App Store. He announced his plan to sue Apple for this practice.<ref>{{cite web |last=Durden |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-12 |title=Musk Accuses Apple Of "Unequivocal Antitrust Violation" For Favoring OpenAI In App Store Rankings |url=https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029051235/https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=ZeroHedge}}</ref> 

===Greenwashing===
Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928112101/https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |archive-date=2025-09-28 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>  but the reality is not quite as green.

Customers are lead to think that their purchases and frequent replacement of their devices do not have a negative impact on the environment, which is not the case.

In autumn of 2025, stricter EU regulations on misleading marketing claims and a lawsuit by German environmental and consumer protection non-profit organization ''Deutsche Umwelthilfe'' have forced Apple to remove their claim of carbon neutrality on several products on their EU websites. Affected products include the Apple Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwan |first=Ben |date=2025-11-26 |title=Wegen EU-Regeln: Apple zieht Klimaneutralitäts-Claim zurück [Due to EU regulations: Apple retracts claim of climate neutrality] |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129120129/https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>

====Green energy pooling====
Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese/Taiwanese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gieselmann |first=Hartmut |date=2023 |title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor |url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] |volume=2023 |issue=23 |pages=49 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251104112550/https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |archive-date=2025-11-04}}</ref>

====CO2 Certificates and forest projects====
…

====The packaging trick====
Apple, like many companies, regularly emphasises how environmentally friendly their packaging is and highlight advancements in this area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple 2030 – We’ve reduced our emissions by over 60% |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910014941/https://www.apple.com/environment/ |archive-date=2025-09-10 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>

This deliberately distracts from the fact that only a negligible fraction of the environmental footprint of an electronic device comes from the packaging, as it is made of significant amounts or rare earth minerals, metals and mined components and consuming vast amounts of energy, water and fuel in manufacturing and transport.

Some of the environmental advancements touted by Apple could also be argued to be environmentally beneficial side effects of purely economic decisions aimed at maximizing profit, such as shipping iPhones without chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dragan |first=Lauren |date=2023-09-12 |title=iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731104206/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |archive-date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

====Shredding vast amounts of fully functional devices====
In 2020, it came to light that Apple had filed a lawsuit against a recycling company, revealing that 100,000 iPhones had been illegitimately shipped to China to be sold there instead of being shredded as had been agreed with Apple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=2024-04-24 |title=100,000 iPhones stolen instead of scrapped; Apple accused of shredding usable devices |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725022423/https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=9to5mac}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrique |first=Felicitas |date=2020-10-04 |title=Apple sues recycling partner for reselling more than 100,000 iPhones, iPads, and Watches it was hired to dismantle |url=https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101232447/https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |archive-date=2026-01-01 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

These devices were likely trade-in devices from people who received a discount on a new model in exchange. Bloomberg News writes, referring to the contract with the recycler:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2024-04-18 |title=What Really Happens When You Trade In an iPhone at the Apple Store |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250829001431/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |archive-date=29 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><blockquote>Even if the iPhones looked good enough for resale, Apple Inc.’s contract with GEEP (said with a hard “g”) explicitly required that every product it sent be destroyed.</blockquote>Used iPhone that are sold on the used market are a direct competition to new sales by Apple.

Apple likely does not want the public to know about these processes, since security seems to be tight around the shredding process:<blockquote>In some cases, Apple hired outside security consultants to escort trucks to its recyclers and monitor the destruction process, which the tech giant could further analyze through data reports charting scrap weights and commodity yields to ensure the input matched the output.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2025-03-17 |title=Apple Drops Lawsuit Against Recycler in Mystery of Missing iPhones |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829001416/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg News}}</ref></blockquote>Apple later retreated the lawsuit,<ref name=":1" /> leading to speculation that it wanted to avoid having to disclose how many devices they are really having shredded. 

====iPhone recycling robot initiative====
The first iteration of Apple's iPhone recycling robot, designed for the iPhone 6, was never more than a publicity stunt, according to an article by Bloomberg:<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>Liam’s precision automation, however, proved a dead end. It could handle just one iPhone model, and not that well. If a device had corroded screws or sticky insides, the robot would glitch. A person familiar with the project estimates Liam could run for about 10 minutes without human intervention. Another person says Apple at times fed the robot still-functioning iPhones and, for media demos, cherry-picked cleaner units so it didn’t crash, suggesting Liam was geared more for promotion than scalability.</blockquote>The same article cites industry insider claiming that the new iteration of the robot is only able to recycle as many devices in a year as Apple sells in just 48 hours.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, it can be assumed that the vast majority of trade-in devices are simply shredded.

===OS-Level age verification===
{{Main|Apple introduces OS-level age verification}}
[[File:Verificacion-de-edad-en-iOS-26.4.jpg.webp|alt=iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification|thumb|iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification]]
On February 25, 2026, Apple rolled out the iOS Beta version 26.4, in order to comply with the [[Online Safety Act]] and other similar normatives. This version contains an [[Age verification]] system built on the operating system, blocking content that could be considered as "mature", including websites. It will be rolled on the UK, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and US states of Louisiana and Utah. Site and content blocking cannot be bypassed by [[wikipedia:Virtual_Private_Network|VPNs]] as the restrictions are in the operating system itself. The current only way to prevent being blocked is by verifying by submitting info of an existing credit card. <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2026 |title=Age requirements for apps distributed in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana |url=https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228012954/https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-date=February 28, 2026 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Apple Devloper}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[iCloud]]
*[[iPhone]]
*iPad
*Mac
*Apple Watch
*AirPods
*Apple TV
*Apple Vision
*Apple Pencil

*[[Apple App Store]]
*[[Apple Gatekeeper]]
*[[Xcode]]

==See also==

*[[Google]]
*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Samsung]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Apple]]

Apple

2026-05-14T01:40:21Z

Tracerneo: /* European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380 */ link

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1976
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Apple logo (black).svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://apple.com/
|Description=Tech company known for hardware, software, and operating systems. Has repeatedly restricted device repairs, and exerts strict control over its software ecosystem
|CompanyAlias= Apple, Inc
}}

{{Wplink|Apple Inc.|'''Apple'''}} is an American technology company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.

Apple's current product lineup include iPhones hardware such as the [[:Category:iPhone|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, [[AirPods]], and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Repairability of Apple products in the 2000s===
Since the 2000s, Apple has focused on reducing the weight of its products as technology has advanced and become increasingly complex. This shift has contributed to challenges in repairing and upgrading their devices.

===Hardware design issues in the 2010s===
Apple had numerous hardware design issues in the 2010s, often poorly acknowledged by the company and frequently charging exorbitant amounts for repair.

*High-cost GPU failures on early 2010's MacBooks<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-28 |title=Apple faces class-action lawsuit over 2011 MacBook Pro GPU issues |url=https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010222822/https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |archive-date=2025-10-10 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=9to5mac}}</ref>
*the 2016-'17 MacBook Pro's screen cable skimping scandal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=2019-05-05 |title=Apple quietly addressed ‘Flexgate’ issue with MacBook Pro redesign |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251224195648/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |archive-date=2025-12-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*2016-2019 MacBooks butterfly keyboards<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2020-05-04 |title=The saga of Apple’s bad butterfly MacBook keyboards is finally over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128222108/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |archive-date=2026-01-28 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro's SSD failures<ref>{{Cite web |last=digilloyd |date=2020-04-03 |title=2019 MacBook Pro Seems to Have a High Failure Rate |url=https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708181056/https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Mac Performance Guide}}</ref>
*The announcement and cancellation of Apple AirPower<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panzarino |first=Matthew |title=Apple cancels AirPower product, citing inability to meet its high standards for hardware |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401040644/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-date=2019-04-01 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clover |first=Juli |date=2018-09-12 |title=After No Sign of AirPower at Today's Event Apple Wipes Most Mentions From Website |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124170507/https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |archive-date=2021-11-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=MacRumors}}</ref> due to overheating{{CitationNeeded|reason=no archived article mentioning overheating specifically}}

====Recent attempts to do better====
Recently, Apple has made efforts to improve its products, though some observers feel that its pro-consumer practices still do not match those of certain other manufacturers. This shift is thought by some to be influenced by evolving legislation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=2022-10-26 |title=Apple to put USB-C connectors in iPhones to comply with EU rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212030935/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |archive-date=2026-02-12 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> 

This includes:

*Opening an online [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] parts store.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Apple announces Self Service Repair |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203201914/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-date=2026-02-03 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Apple Newsroom}}</ref>
*Making the back glass of iPhones removable starting from iPhone 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiens |first=Kyle |date=2022-09-16 |title=Inside Apple’s Secret iPhone 14 Redesign |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116032657/https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |archive-date=2026-01-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixIt}}</ref>
*Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new EU legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installing apps through alternative app distribution in the European Union |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223191001/https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |archive-date=2025-12-23 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
*Calibration tools for newly installed used parts in iOS 18,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Use Repair Assistant to finish an iPhone or iPad repair |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208125243/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref> which sometimes work.{{CitationNeeded}}
*An upgradeable, swappable SSD in the 2024 Mac Mini - albeit you cannot swap these units between M4 and M4 Pro units due to the internal casing's design being different without much good reason.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorrel |first=Charlie |date=2024-11-12 |title=All Hail the Return of Upgradeable Storage! Mac mini 2024 Teardown |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116041530/https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |archive-date=2025-11-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixit}}</ref>
*A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone 16 Plus Battery |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018203540/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |archive-date=2025-10-18 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
Many of these items have sparked allegations of [[malicious compliance]] and being introduced purely to make stricter right for repair legislation appear unnecessary to legislators while not doing much to improve the situation for consumers. 

For instance, pricing for parts on the [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] store is virtually identical to having the part replaced by Apple themselves (including both the price of the part and labor)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganapini |first=Cristina |date=2022-12-06 |title=Apple’s self-repair programme is not the Right to Repair we need |url=https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209051628/https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-date=2026-02-09 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Right to Repair Europe}}</ref>, alternate app installation options are limited to users in the EU, still [[Forced account|require developers to be registered]] with Apple, have them approve the apps and in many cases paying them fees, and the upgradeable SSDs do not use common standards such as M.2 NVME. Unlike standard SSDs, they are also not always swappable between different models and require access to a second Apple computer to provision after installation.

===Operating system downgrades===
[[File:Macos startup security.png|alt=macOS startup security screen|thumb|macOS startup security screen]]
It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version that is no longer signed by Apple. In most cases, only the most recent version is signed. Some exceptions exist, such as certain Apple TV models and Apple Silicon Macs. Downgrading the Apple TV 4K series is not possible at all due to the lack of a USB port. On Macs with a T2 chip, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

*No Security: Allow any OS to run (same as turning off secure boot on a PC).
*Medium Security: Allow any OS that is signed with a secure boot certificate (default, same as turning on secure boot on a PC).
*Full Security: Only allow the latest version of macOS, do not allow any other OS.

On Macs with Apple Silicon, the user can select from two modes of secure boot:

*Permissive Security: Accessible only via recovery Terminal tools (and still enforces Apple’s secure chain for much of the boot). This is the lowest available security policy on Apple silicon but does not remove secure boot entirely in the way “No Security” used to.
*Reduced Security: Allows booting older versions of macOS trusted by Apple but still enforces signed OS policy.
*Full Security: Only the currently signed macOS version trusted by Apple can boot.

iOS devices only support Full Security mode. The device checks for a cryptographic "ticket",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=APTicket |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216234725/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> which are tied to the OS version and CPU serial number. These are provided by a server, which only provides them for the latest version (with very specific exceptions). The device refuses to boot if the ticket does not match. Workarounds exist, but with major caveats that are not viable for most users,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Firmware rendering |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021213054/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |archive-date=2025-10-21 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> see the technical details on [[wikipedia:SHSH_blob|SHSH blobs]].

===Class action lawsuit===
Apple was the defendant of a class-action lawsuit with claims dating back to 2017 where users noticed their phones were being artificially slowed down. Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit for up to $500 million USD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Gael |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=Apple Starts Sending Out iPhone 'Batterygate' Settlement Payments. What to Know |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321051703/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref> Apple claimed that this change was to benefit users who have old failing batteries, and that it wasn't for planned obsolescence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napolitano |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-08-18 |title=Millions of Apple customers to get payments of up to $90 in iPhone "batterygate" settlement. Here's what to know. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228042055/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|website=CBS News}}</ref> They later published software updates and an article explaining how users can opt out of this new "performance management" mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone battery and performance |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250618231138/https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |archive-date=18 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

Once a new OS version is installed, there is no opportunity to go back. This also restricts the user's choice to {{Wplink|iOS jailbreaking|jailbreak}} the device, as the latest version naturally has patches for the latest jailbreak exploits. App developers also require access to earlier iOS versions to test that their app works correctly. The alternative, Xcode's iOS Simulator, is not a complete replacement for real hardware, as it does not have all features of a physical device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vajpai |first=Shreeti |date=24 Jun 2024 |title=iOS Emulators / Simulators vs Real iOS Devices |url=https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519081214/https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |archive-date=19 May 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=ContextQA}}</ref> Instead, app developers are forced to purchase several test devices, and remember to ''never'' allow them to update.

===Parts availability===
Many parts are not available directly from Apple. Those that are available directly from Apple may be more expensive than paying Apple to repair your device.{{CitationNeeded|reason=add citation with proof of this}} Parts available to certified repair centers are extremely limited.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}} Apple does not stock current generation iPad parts within GSX (See Certified Repair Centers). A limited selection of iPad parts are available from iFixit, however this can exclude some flex PCBs necessary for repairing headphone jacks.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}}

If an Apple iPhone has GPS calibration issues and or {{Wplink|Bluetooth}} connectivity issues, Apple will do their own diagnostics. You explain to the Apple employee how and when the issues occur and you explain in detail your methods to reproduce the issues. The issues occur when your phone is in your pocket while using navigation and when you hold your phone upside down while using your Apple Beats wireless headphones. After Apple runs their diagnostics and they are not able to detect the issues, they will move onto the next step which is fully resetting your device. This is considered a standard troubleshooting procedure. When you ask the Apple store manager if they would be willing to exchange your device for a similar model if they cannot fix your device they respond with "No, because these phones are designed to be fixed". After the software reset fail, Apple will require you to leave your phone with them so they can send it to their offsite repair facility for further diagnostics. After a few days, Apple will come to the conclusion that your phone requires an entire new midsection. When asked what was replaced, Apple will inform you that the entire inside has been replaced — essentially giving you a new phone (with a new IMEI, EID, etc.) apart from the casing and screen. {{CitationNeeded}}

===Diagnostic software availability===
Calibration software for some Apple devices has only recently become available to end users. End user calibration tools have only become accessible in iOS 18. Similar calibration tools have been available to Certified Repair Centers, but are generally limited as many parts are serialized, i.e. lid sensors on MacBooks. {{CitationNeeded}}

===Certified repair centers===
Certified Repair Centers have some limited access to Apple's proprietary backend (GSX2). GSX contains many tools necessary to repair devices such as diagnostic tools, calibration tools, parts catalog, and device repair history. GSX is only accessible to repair centers Apple deems certified. GSX does not stock parts for iPads. It does not allow the calibration of parts such as lid sensors for a device, if that device does not have an open repair and purchased parts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Jan 2017 |title=GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY |url-status=live}}</ref> {{CitationNeeded|reason=add an archive and properly cite this}}The new iOS 18 calibration tool is very similar to Apple's ASU (GSX's diagnostic/calibration tool). Some videos of GSX can be found online. See: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius]

===Advertisements in first party apps===
In 2014, Apple and the band U2 partnered to give all iTunes users a free digital copy of their newest album at the time, ''Songs of Innocence'', which was marketed as "the biggest album release ever in history".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|title=Apple & U2 Release “Songs of Innocence” Exclusively for iTunes Store Customers|date=2014-09-09|work=Apple Newsroom|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405230217/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|archive-date=2025-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> Many users who didn't want the album couldn't remove it from their iTunes library due to the album being listed as a "past purchase" on their account (however the album could always be "hidden").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|title=Apple's Devious U2 Album Giveaway Is Even Worse Than Spam|date=2014-09-16|first=Vijith|last=Assar|work=WIRED|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530112829/https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|archive-date=2025-05-30|url-status=live}}</ref> Some reports speculated the deal was worth 100 million dollars and was done due to the band's declining popularity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|title=Apple's U2 Album Promotion Backfires|first=Nathan|last=Rott|date=2014-09-15|work=NPR|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601154245/https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|archive-date=2025-06-01|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Bono, a member of U2, wrote in his memoir how Tim Cook reportedly said how "there’s something not right about giving [U2's] art away for free" and "the whole point of what we’re trying to do at Apple is to not give away music free. The point is to make sure musicians get paid".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|title=Apple CEO Tim Cook thought U2 putting its album on your iPhone was ‘not right’—even though he did it anyway|first=Tristan|last=Bove|date=2022-10-24|work=Fortune|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127191141/https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|archive-date=2025-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Apple added a promotional offer for F1 The Movie in their Wallet application.<ref>{{Cite web |title=F1 The Movie - News |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109164811/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Apple TV+ Press}}</ref> Users have mentioned how this could violate Apple's own policy on advertising, how the high price of Apple devices shouldn't justify first party ads, and the annoyance of seeing it.<ref>{{Cite web |author=u/african-nightmare |date=2025-06-24 |title=Getting ads in Apple Wallet, how to disable? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725194601/https://old.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=Reddit}}</ref> For users on the iOS 26 beta, there is an option to disable "Offers & Promotions", with users on iOS 18 needing to disable notifications completely for the Wallet app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|title=iPhone customers upset by Apple Wallet ad pushing ‘F1’ movie|first=Sarah|last=Perez|date=2025-06-24|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624213223/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|archive-date=2025-06-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (1).jpg|Notification of the offer
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (2).jpg|Home screen of Wallet app
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (3).jpg|Apple Cash card screen
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (4).png|Screen when selecting "learn more"
</gallery>

===AirDrop censorship (''2022'')===
{{Main|AirDrop Hong Kong censorship}}
[[File:AirDrop restrictions.png|alt=Airdrop Sharing Restrictions photo|thumb|Airdrop Sharing Restrictions]]
As a result of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Apple was pressured by the Chinese government to set a time limit for the AirDrop "everyone" option for iPhones due to its impact at scheduling protests against the government to avoid censorship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|title=Apple limits AirDrop in China after its use in protests|first=Jess|last=Weatherbed|date=2022-11-10|work=The Verge|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723112204/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the setting was applied to all iPhones worldwide to "mitigate unwanted file sharing", meaning users will need to set their airdrop setting manually every ten minutes instead of leaving it on permanently, leaving the only other options as "contacts only" and "receiving off".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|title=Apple globally censoring this iPhone communication feature deserves renewed scrutiny|first=Zac|last=Hall|date=2025-03-17|work=9To5Mac|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723142521/https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

==="Peanuts" TV Special Takeover===
In late October of 2020, Apple announced that its Apple TV+ service had become the exclusive home of the library of classic ''Peanuts'' animated specials, including ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'', ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'', and ''A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving''. For almost 50 years, these beloved specials were shown once a year on free over-the-air TV, but as of 2020, anybody who wishes to watch them is now required to own a device that offers the Apple TV+ service and an active Apple TV+ subscription.<ref>{{cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=2020-10-19 |title=Apple TV+ Says: Welcome, Great Pumpkin |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208132132/https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2025-11-05 |work=Vulture}}</ref>

===2024 Antitrust Lawsuit===
In March 2024, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple claiming that the "closed garden" ecosystem Apple creates surrounding its iPhones stifles competition and innovation. The lawsuit alleges that Apple is directly forcing customers to purchase and use iPhones and their accessories and software in several ways:

*Forcing mobile carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to offer its best customer deals exclusively to those who purchase iPhones.
*Restricting the functionality of Super apps such as WeChat.
*Forcing in-app purchases through applications such as Fortnite to be made within the App Store and taking a part of the proceeds as commission pay.
*Restricting the use of third-party digital wallets and requiring users to exclusively use Apple Pay.
*Restricting how third-party message apps can interact with iMessage.
*Restricting their HomeKit home automation system and all compatible devices to work only on Apple's products and issuing cease & desist orders against emulators designed to make HomeKit compatible with third-party products.
*Restricting compatibility of third party smart watches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=U.S and Plaintiff States v. Apple Inc. |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221190000/https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |archive-date=2026-02-21 |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=United States Department of Justice}}</ref>{{CitationNeeded|reason=make sure the source beside this is the actual antitrust case.}}

Apple is expected to go to trial in early 2027.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liedtke |first=Michael |date=2025-06-30 |title=Judge allows antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205235908/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |archive-date=2026-02-05 |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>

===European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380===
As part of Directive (EU) 2022/2380, the [[European Union]] mandated that all smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and other portable electronic devices must utilize USB-C as a universal charging standard by the end of 2024, with laptops following by 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817091803/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>

This regulatory measure directly addresses consumer frustration with incompatible chargers types and aims to significantly reduce electronic waste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=USB-C-Standard: Schluss mit dem Kabelwirrwarr |url=https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=zdfheute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215214259/https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> The legislation allows manufacturers to unbundle chargers from devices, potentially saving consumers money, and ensures charging speed harmonization across compatible devices.

While Apple initially opposed the standardization, arguing that it would "stifle innovation rather than encourage it," the company ultimately conceded defeat, with Apple's head of marketing stating "we have no choice" regarding compliance. <ref name=":2" />

===European Digital Markets Act.===
This law forced many companies including Apple to change the way they operate to create a fairer competition. Read more about this law [[Digital Markets Act|here]].

====Changes Apple introduced iOS and iPadOS to comply with this law:====

*Introduced the ability to install applications from alternative marketplaces
*asks which browser and search engine should be the default one
*Developers now are allowed to publish in the EU browsers that do not use webkit

====Controversies:====

*Apple removed iPhone torrenting app iTorrent from alternative marketplace AltStore PAL, developer said that the access was revoked "without any warning". In a statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian said, “Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903102041/https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

===Elon Musk Lawsuit===
In August of 2025, businessman [[Elon Musk]] accused Apple of engaging in anti-competitive practices by only allowing OpenAI’s [[ChatGPT]] to reach the top of the sales chart on Apple App Store. He announced his plan to sue Apple for this practice.<ref>{{cite web |last=Durden |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-12 |title=Musk Accuses Apple Of "Unequivocal Antitrust Violation" For Favoring OpenAI In App Store Rankings |url=https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029051235/https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=ZeroHedge}}</ref> 

===Greenwashing===
Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928112101/https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |archive-date=2025-09-28 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>  but the reality is not quite as green.

Customers are lead to think that their purchases and frequent replacement of their devices do not have a negative impact on the environment, which is not the case.

In autumn of 2025, stricter EU regulations on misleading marketing claims and a lawsuit by German environmental and consumer protection non-profit organization ''Deutsche Umwelthilfe'' have forced Apple to remove their claim of carbon neutrality on several products on their EU websites. Affected products include the Apple Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwan |first=Ben |date=2025-11-26 |title=Wegen EU-Regeln: Apple zieht Klimaneutralitäts-Claim zurück [Due to EU regulations: Apple retracts claim of climate neutrality] |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129120129/https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>

====Green energy pooling====
Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese/Taiwanese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gieselmann |first=Hartmut |date=2023 |title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor |url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] |volume=2023 |issue=23 |pages=49 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251104112550/https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |archive-date=2025-11-04}}</ref>

====CO2 Certificates and forest projects====
…

====The packaging trick====
Apple, like many companies, regularly emphasises how environmentally friendly their packaging is and highlight advancements in this area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple 2030 – We’ve reduced our emissions by over 60% |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910014941/https://www.apple.com/environment/ |archive-date=2025-09-10 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>

This deliberately distracts from the fact that only a negligible fraction of the environmental footprint of an electronic device comes from the packaging, as it is made of significant amounts or rare earth minerals, metals and mined components and consuming vast amounts of energy, water and fuel in manufacturing and transport.

Some of the environmental advancements touted by Apple could also be argued to be environmentally beneficial side effects of purely economic decisions aimed at maximizing profit, such as shipping iPhones without chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dragan |first=Lauren |date=2023-09-12 |title=iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731104206/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |archive-date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

====Shredding vast amounts of fully functional devices====
In 2020, it came to light that Apple had filed a lawsuit against a recycling company, revealing that 100,000 iPhones had been illegitimately shipped to China to be sold there instead of being shredded as had been agreed with Apple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=2024-04-24 |title=100,000 iPhones stolen instead of scrapped; Apple accused of shredding usable devices |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725022423/https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=9to5mac}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrique |first=Felicitas |date=2020-10-04 |title=Apple sues recycling partner for reselling more than 100,000 iPhones, iPads, and Watches it was hired to dismantle |url=https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101232447/https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |archive-date=2026-01-01 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

These devices were likely trade-in devices from people who received a discount on a new model in exchange. Bloomberg News writes, referring to the contract with the recycler:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2024-04-18 |title=What Really Happens When You Trade In an iPhone at the Apple Store |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250829001431/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |archive-date=29 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><blockquote>Even if the iPhones looked good enough for resale, Apple Inc.’s contract with GEEP (said with a hard “g”) explicitly required that every product it sent be destroyed.</blockquote>Used iPhone that are sold on the used market are a direct competition to new sales by Apple.

Apple likely does not want the public to know about these processes, since security seems to be tight around the shredding process:<blockquote>In some cases, Apple hired outside security consultants to escort trucks to its recyclers and monitor the destruction process, which the tech giant could further analyze through data reports charting scrap weights and commodity yields to ensure the input matched the output.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2025-03-17 |title=Apple Drops Lawsuit Against Recycler in Mystery of Missing iPhones |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829001416/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg News}}</ref></blockquote>Apple later retreated the lawsuit,<ref name=":1" /> leading to speculation that it wanted to avoid having to disclose how many devices they are really having shredded. 

====iPhone recycling robot initiative====
The first iteration of Apple's iPhone recycling robot, designed for the iPhone 6, was never more than a publicity stunt, according to an article by Bloomberg:<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>Liam’s precision automation, however, proved a dead end. It could handle just one iPhone model, and not that well. If a device had corroded screws or sticky insides, the robot would glitch. A person familiar with the project estimates Liam could run for about 10 minutes without human intervention. Another person says Apple at times fed the robot still-functioning iPhones and, for media demos, cherry-picked cleaner units so it didn’t crash, suggesting Liam was geared more for promotion than scalability.</blockquote>The same article cites industry insider claiming that the new iteration of the robot is only able to recycle as many devices in a year as Apple sells in just 48 hours.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, it can be assumed that the vast majority of trade-in devices are simply shredded.

===OS-Level age verification===
{{Main|Apple introduces OS-level age verification}}
[[File:Verificacion-de-edad-en-iOS-26.4.jpg.webp|alt=iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification|thumb|iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification]]
On February 25, 2026, Apple rolled out the iOS Beta version 26.4, in order to comply with the [[Online Safety Act]] and other similar normatives. This version contains an [[Age verification]] system built on the operating system, blocking content that could be considered as "mature", including websites. It will be rolled on the UK, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and US states of Louisiana and Utah. Site and content blocking cannot be bypassed by [[wikipedia:Virtual_Private_Network|VPNs]] as the restrictions are in the operating system itself. The current only way to prevent being blocked is by verifying by submitting info of an existing credit card. <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2026 |title=Age requirements for apps distributed in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana |url=https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228012954/https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-date=February 28, 2026 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Apple Devloper}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[iCloud]]
*[[iPhone]]
*iPad
*Mac
*Apple Watch
*AirPods
*Apple TV
*Apple Vision
*Apple Pencil

*[[Apple App Store]]
*[[Apple Gatekeeper]]
*[[Xcode]]

==See also==

*[[Google]]
*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Samsung]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Apple]]

General Data Protection Regulation

2026-05-14T01:31:19Z

Tracerneo: link

The '''{{Wplink|General Data Protection Regulation}}''' (GDPR) is the [[European Union]]'s comprehensive data privacy and security law that went into effect on May 25, 2018.<ref>[https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/ "What is GDPR, the EU’s new data protection law?"] - gdpr.eu - 25 May 2018 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260128031436/https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/ Archived])</ref> The regulation applies to any organization worldwide that processes data related to EU residents, regardless of the organization's location. It represents the world's most stringent approach to data protection, with potential fines for violations reaching up to €20 million or 4% of global revenue, whichever is higher.

The regulation mandates several key requirements for organizations processing EU residents' personal data. These include obtaining explicit consent for data collection, ensuring data minimization and purpose limitation, implementing appropriate security measures, and honoring individuals' rights regarding their personal data. Organizations must also maintain detailed documentation of their data processing activities, report data breaches within 72 hours, and in some cases appoint Data Protection Officers. The regulation defines personal data broadly, encompassing everything from basic identifiers like names and email addresses to more complex data like location information, biometric data, and online identifiers.

The GDPR has established a new global standard for data protection by codifying several fundamental principles, including transparency, accountability, and privacy by design. Organizations must not only comply with these principles but also be able to demonstrate their compliance through documentation and organizational measures. This comprehensive approach to data protection reflects the EU's position that privacy is a fundamental human right, building upon the privacy protections first established in the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights and updated for the digital age.

The United Kingdom still enforces the GDPR,<ref>https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-the-eu/data-protection-and-the-eu-in-detail/the-uk-gdpr/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251230025316/https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-the-eu/data-protection-and-the-eu-in-detail/the-uk-gdpr/ Archived])</ref> allowing persons physically located within the UK the ability to request data exports and deletions from online services.<ref>https://www.vpaa.uillinois.edu/resources/policies/u_of_i_system_and_international_privacy_laws/the_eu_and_uk_general_data_protection_regulations ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251213031910/https://www.vpaa.uillinois.edu/resources/policies/u_of_i_system_and_international_privacy_laws/the_eu_and_uk_general_data_protection_regulations Archived])</ref>

==Summary==

===Chapter 2: Principles===

Chapter 2 of the GDPR addresses personal data, legal ways to process it, and consent of the user.<ref>[https://gdpr-info.eu/chapter-2/ "Chapter 2: Principles"] - gdpr-info.eu - 25 May 2018 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260117095156/https://gdpr-info.eu/chapter-2/ Archived])</ref>

====Article 5: Principles relating to processing of personal data====
''Main wiki: [https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Article_5_GDPR Article 5 GDPR]''

Personal data processing under GDPR mandates that data must be handled lawfully, fairly, and transparently; collected for specific legitimate purposes; kept accurate and up-to-date; minimized to only what's necessary; stored only as long as required; and protected with appropriate security measures.

====Article 7: Conditions for consent====
''Main wiki: [https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Article_7_GDPR Article 7 GDPR]''

When applicable, data subjects must consent to the processing of his or her personal data. Written requests for consent must use clear and plain language. Any portion of a written request violating the GDPR is not considered binding.

The data subject may also withdraw his or consent at any time and it should "be as easy to withdraw as to give consent."

Consent also must be freely given as defined in Recital 43. Consent is not considered freely given when a power imbalance exists between the data collected and the data subject, when consent for different data operations is improperly bundled together, or when access to services is made conditional on consenting to unnecessary data collection.

===Chapter 3: Rights of the data subject===

Chapter 3 of the GDPR covers transparency, information and access to personal data, the right to change, erase, or restrict processing of personal data, and the right to object.<ref>[https://gdpr-info.eu/chapter-3/ "Chapter 3: Rights of the data subject"] - gdpr-info.eu - 25 May 2018 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260117095030/https://gdpr-info.eu/chapter-3/ Archived])</ref>

====Article 17: Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)====
''Main wiki: [https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Article_17_GDPR Article 17 GDPR]''

Data subjects have the right to request erasure of their personal data by the data processor and the data processor is required to erase said data in a timely manner. This includes unnecessarily stored data, unlawfully processed data, and publicly available information.

This article does not cover free of expression and information, public interest, archiving purposes, or legally-relevant information.

====Article 21: Right to object====
''Main wiki: [https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Article_21_GDPR Article 21 GDPR]''

Data subjects have the right to object to processing of their personal data in several key contexts, including when processing is based on public interest or legitimate interests grounds, for direct marketing purposes, or for research purposes - and in the case of direct marketing, this objection must be honored without exception.

When such an objection is made, the controller must cease processing unless they can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds that override the data subject's rights and freedoms, with special provisions requiring that this right to object must be explicitly communicated to data subjects and made easily accessible, particularly in digital contexts.
====Article 22: Automated individual decision-making, including profiling====
''Main wiki: [https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Article_22_GDPR Article 22 GDPR]''

Under Article 22, individuals have the right to not be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing or profiling that have legal or similarly significant effects, with three key exceptions: when the automated decision is necessary for a contract, authorized by law, or based on explicit consent.

When automated decisions are made under contractual necessity or explicit consent, the data controller must implement safeguards including human intervention options, allowing individuals to express their views and contest decisions. Automated decisions cannot be based on special categories of personal data (such as race, health data, or political opinions) unless specific conditions are met and appropriate safeguards are in place.

===Chapter 4: Controller and processor===
Chapter 4 of the GDPR covers general obligations of controllers and processors of data, their security, impact assessments and responsibility.<ref>[https://gdpr-info.eu/chapter-4/ "Chapter 4: Controller and processor"] - gdpr-info.eu - 25 May 2018 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260117095128/https://gdpr-info.eu/chapter-4/ Archived])</ref>

====Article 28: Processor====
''Main wiki: [https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Article_28_GDPR Article 28 GDPR]''

Outsourcing data processing to service providers is no excuse not to comply with GDPR, it is still up to the controller to ensure that the GDPR is complied with.

==See also==
*[[Consent-or-pay]]
*[[Digital Omnibus]]
*https://gdprhub.eu, a wiki summarizing GDPR-related decisions by authorities and courts across Europe

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]
[[Category:Legislation]]
[[Category:EU legislation]]

Category:EU legislation

2026-05-14T01:30:02Z

Tracerneo: linkify EU

'''[[European Union]]''' ('''EU''') laws, legislation, and law-based campaigns that relate to consumer protection.

EU member states each have specific [https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/consumer-protection-law_en Consumer Protection Laws], which implement directives set by the EU. These laws create a framework that ensures consistent protection for consumers throughout the European Union, while allowing member states some flexibility in implementation.Expand the table below to find state specific resources.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin:auto"
|+ style="white-space:nowrap; padding:5px;" |Legislation by country
|-
!Country
!specific legislation
|-
|Austria
|
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/gesetze_und_recht/verbraucherschutz.html

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?AUSTRIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Austria

|-
|Belgium
|
https://economie.fgov.be/en/themes/consumer-protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?BELGIUM&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Belgium

|-
|Bulgaria
|
https://psc.egov.bg/en/user-guide-costomer-protection

https://kzp.bg/

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?BULGARIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Bulgaria

|-
|Croatia
|
https://gov.hr/en/consumer-protection/326

https://www.hnb.hr/documents/20182/2135754/e-zakon-o-zastiti-potrosaca_19-2022.pdf/d73aa75d-d282-107b-9aea-b2ffd4b02d75?t=1654865939985

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?CROATIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Croatia

|-
|Cyprus
|
https://consumer.gov.cy/en/

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Cyprus

|-
|Czech Republic
|
https://mpo.gov.cz/en/consumer-protection/

https://mpo.gov.cz/assets/dokumenty/33030/46444/558072/priloha001.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?CZECHIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_the_Czech_Republic

|-
|Denmark
|
https://en.kfst.dk/consumer

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?DENMARK&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Denmark

|-
|Estonia
|
https://mkm.ee/en/consumer-protection

https://www.eesti.ee/eraisik/en/artikkel/consumer-protection/rights-and-obligations-of-the-consumer

https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/521042022002/consolide

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?ESTONIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Estonia

|-
|Finland
|
https://www.suomi.fi/citizen/personal-finances/consumer-protection

https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1978/en19780038_20050029.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?FINLAND&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Finland

|-
|France
|
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N24033?lang=en

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N24033?lang=en

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?FRANCE&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_France

|-
|Germany
|
https://www.bundeskartellamt.de/EN/Consumer_protection/Protecting_Consumer_Rights/Protecting_Consumer_Rights_node.html

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/871a8621-32ca-4456-b9b4-fba53d0f741f_en?filename=national-consumer-organisations_de_listing_en.pdf

[https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?GERMANY&member=1 https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?GERMANY&member=1 (currently broken?)]

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Germany

|-
|Greece
|
https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/consumer-rights/consumer-rights-and-guarantees

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?GREECE&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Greece

|-
|Hungary
|
https://www.gvh.hu/en/legal_background/rules_for_the_hungarian_market/competition_act/consumer_protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?HUNGARY&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Hungary

|-
|Ireland
|
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/consumer-laws/your-consumer-rights/

https://www.ccpc.ie/

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/37/enacted/en/html

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?IRELAND&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Ireland

|-
|Italy
|
https://en.agcm.it/en/scope-of-activity/consumer-protection/

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/fdec2cf5-feec-4fc0-b10e-e7217abdf567_en?filename=national-consumer-organisations_it_listing_en.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?ITALY&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Italy

|-
|Latvia
|
https://www.ptac.gov.lv/en/consumer-protection

https://www.inlatplus.lv/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/3542_Consumer_Rights_Protection_Law.doc.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?LATVIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Latvia

|-
|Lithuania
|
https://vvtat.lrv.lt/en/

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/868120e3-a958-40cb-9a5a-cb3bb2ebaf47_en?filename=national-consumer-organisations_lt_listing.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?LITHUANIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Lithuania

|-
|Luxembourg
|
https://mpc.gouvernement.lu/en/le-ministere/protjur.html

https://www.cssf.lu/en/consumer-protection/

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?LUXEMBOURG&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Luxembourg

|-
|Malta
|
https://mccaa.org.mt/Section/Content?contentId=3196

https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/378/eng/pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?MALTA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Malta

|-
|Netherlands
|
https://www.acm.nl/en/about-acm/our-organization/the-netherlands-authority-for-consumers-and-markets

https://www.government.nl/topics/consumer-protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?NETHERLANDS&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_the_Netherlands

|-
|Poland
|
https://www.biznes.gov.pl/en/portal/004510

https://uokik.gov.pl/en/consumer-protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?POLAND&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Poland

|-
|Portugal
|
https://www.acm.gov.pt/-/o-que-e-um-consumidor-e-quais-os-seus-direitos-

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?PORTUGAL&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Portugal

|-
|Romania
|
https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?ROMANIA&member=1

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/64675a85-834d-4494-97f3-dbf37da089cc_en?filename=romania_country_fich_en.pdf

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Romania

|-
|Slovakia
|
https://www.slovensko.sk/en/life-situation/life-situation/_consumer-rights

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SLOVAKIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Slovakia

|-
|Slovenia
|
https://www.gov.si/en/policies/business-and-economy/consumer-and-competition-protection/

https://www.gov.si/en/topics/consumer-protection/

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SLOVENIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Slovenia

|-
|Spain
|
https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/empresas/inicio-gestion-cierre/practicas-comerciales/derechos-consumidores.html

https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/AreaTematica/DocumentacionPublicaciones/Documents/
Consolidated_text_of_the_general_consumer_and_user_Protection_Act_and_other_complementary_laws_%28Ley.PDF
https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SPAIN&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Spain

|-
|Sweden
|
https://www.informationsverige.se/en/om-sverige/att-forsorja-sig-och-utvecklas-i-sverige/konsumentratt.html

https://verksamt.se/en/agreement-invoicing/if-a-dispute-arises/consumer-law

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SWEDEN&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Sweden

|-
|}
[[Category:Legislation in Europe]]
[[Category:European Union]]

European Union

2026-05-14T01:23:05Z

Tracerneo: /* Consumer rights legislation */ DMA

{{CompanyCargo
|CompanyAlias=EU
|Founded=1993
|Logo=Flag of Europe.svg
|Type=Government
|Website=https://european-union.europa.eu/
|Description=The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
}}
The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a political and [[wikipedia:economic union|economic union]] of 27 [[wikipedia:Member state of the European Union|member states]] that are [[wikipedia:Geography of the European Union|located primarily]] in Europe.

Article 169 of the [[wikipedia:TFEU|Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]] enables the EU to use its [[wikipedia:ordinary legislative procedure|ordinary legislative procedure]] to protect consumers "health, safety and economic interests" and promote rights to "information, education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests".<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Consolidated_version_of_the_Treaty_on_the_Functioning_of_the_European_Union/Title_XV:_Consumer_Protection art 169]</ref> All member states may grant higher protection, and a "high level of consumer protection" is regarded as a fundamental right.<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] art 169(3) and the [[wikipedia:CFREU|CFREU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Charter_of_Fundamental_Rights_of_the_European_Union#Article_38_.E2.80.93_Consumer_protection art 38]</ref>

==Consumer rights legislation==
* Product Liability Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/2853/oj 2024/2853]
** replacing [[wikipedia:Product Liability Directive 1985|Product Liability Directive 1985]]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Directive 1993|Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1993/13/oj 93/13/EEC]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005|Unfair Commercial Practices]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/29/oj 2005/29/EC]
* [[wikipedia:Consumer Rights Directive 2011|Consumer Rights]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/83/oj 2011/83/EU]
* [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (Regulation (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj 2016/679]) (''GDPR'')
* [[Digital Markets Act]] (Regulation (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj 2022/1925]) (''DMA'')
* [[Right to repair|Right To Repair]] Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1799/oj 2024/1799] (''R2RD'')

==Incidents==
This is a list of the most important consumer-protection incidents concerning European Union. Full list of relevant pages can be found under [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Stop Destroying Videogames (ECI)===
{{Main|Stop Killing Games}}
On 19 June 2024, "'''Stop Destroying Videogames'''" was registered as a '''European Citizens' Initiative''' by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures.

The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Category:European Union

2026-05-14T01:19:27Z

Tracerneo: new cat

This is the category with pages concerning the [[European Union]].

Category:EU legislation

2026-05-14T01:16:09Z

Tracerneo: +cat

This Category contains laws, legislation, and law-based campaigns that relate to consumer protection specific to the EU.

EU member states each have specific [https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/consumer-protection-law_en Consumer Protection Laws], which implement directives set by the EU. These laws create a framework that ensures consistent protection for consumers throughout the European Union, while allowing member states some flexibility in implementation.Expand the table below to find state specific resources.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin:auto"
|+ style="white-space:nowrap; padding:5px;" |Legislation by country
|-
!Country
!specific legislation
|-
|Austria
|
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/gesetze_und_recht/verbraucherschutz.html

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?AUSTRIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Austria

|-
|Belgium
|
https://economie.fgov.be/en/themes/consumer-protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?BELGIUM&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Belgium

|-
|Bulgaria
|
https://psc.egov.bg/en/user-guide-costomer-protection

https://kzp.bg/

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?BULGARIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Bulgaria

|-
|Croatia
|
https://gov.hr/en/consumer-protection/326

https://www.hnb.hr/documents/20182/2135754/e-zakon-o-zastiti-potrosaca_19-2022.pdf/d73aa75d-d282-107b-9aea-b2ffd4b02d75?t=1654865939985

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?CROATIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Croatia

|-
|Cyprus
|
https://consumer.gov.cy/en/

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Cyprus

|-
|Czech Republic
|
https://mpo.gov.cz/en/consumer-protection/

https://mpo.gov.cz/assets/dokumenty/33030/46444/558072/priloha001.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?CZECHIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_the_Czech_Republic

|-
|Denmark
|
https://en.kfst.dk/consumer

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?DENMARK&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Denmark

|-
|Estonia
|
https://mkm.ee/en/consumer-protection

https://www.eesti.ee/eraisik/en/artikkel/consumer-protection/rights-and-obligations-of-the-consumer

https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/521042022002/consolide

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?ESTONIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Estonia

|-
|Finland
|
https://www.suomi.fi/citizen/personal-finances/consumer-protection

https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1978/en19780038_20050029.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?FINLAND&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Finland

|-
|France
|
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N24033?lang=en

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N24033?lang=en

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?FRANCE&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_France

|-
|Germany
|
https://www.bundeskartellamt.de/EN/Consumer_protection/Protecting_Consumer_Rights/Protecting_Consumer_Rights_node.html

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/871a8621-32ca-4456-b9b4-fba53d0f741f_en?filename=national-consumer-organisations_de_listing_en.pdf

[https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?GERMANY&member=1 https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?GERMANY&member=1 (currently broken?)]

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Germany

|-
|Greece
|
https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/consumer-rights/consumer-rights-and-guarantees

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?GREECE&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Greece

|-
|Hungary
|
https://www.gvh.hu/en/legal_background/rules_for_the_hungarian_market/competition_act/consumer_protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?HUNGARY&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Hungary

|-
|Ireland
|
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/consumer-laws/your-consumer-rights/

https://www.ccpc.ie/

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/37/enacted/en/html

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?IRELAND&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Ireland

|-
|Italy
|
https://en.agcm.it/en/scope-of-activity/consumer-protection/

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/fdec2cf5-feec-4fc0-b10e-e7217abdf567_en?filename=national-consumer-organisations_it_listing_en.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?ITALY&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Italy

|-
|Latvia
|
https://www.ptac.gov.lv/en/consumer-protection

https://www.inlatplus.lv/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/3542_Consumer_Rights_Protection_Law.doc.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?LATVIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Latvia

|-
|Lithuania
|
https://vvtat.lrv.lt/en/

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/868120e3-a958-40cb-9a5a-cb3bb2ebaf47_en?filename=national-consumer-organisations_lt_listing.pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?LITHUANIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Lithuania

|-
|Luxembourg
|
https://mpc.gouvernement.lu/en/le-ministere/protjur.html

https://www.cssf.lu/en/consumer-protection/

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?LUXEMBOURG&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Luxembourg

|-
|Malta
|
https://mccaa.org.mt/Section/Content?contentId=3196

https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/378/eng/pdf

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?MALTA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Malta

|-
|Netherlands
|
https://www.acm.nl/en/about-acm/our-organization/the-netherlands-authority-for-consumers-and-markets

https://www.government.nl/topics/consumer-protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?NETHERLANDS&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_the_Netherlands

|-
|Poland
|
https://www.biznes.gov.pl/en/portal/004510

https://uokik.gov.pl/en/consumer-protection

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?POLAND&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Poland

|-
|Portugal
|
https://www.acm.gov.pt/-/o-que-e-um-consumidor-e-quais-os-seus-direitos-

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?PORTUGAL&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Portugal

|-
|Romania
|
https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?ROMANIA&member=1

https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/64675a85-834d-4494-97f3-dbf37da089cc_en?filename=romania_country_fich_en.pdf

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Romania

|-
|Slovakia
|
https://www.slovensko.sk/en/life-situation/life-situation/_consumer-rights

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SLOVAKIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Slovakia

|-
|Slovenia
|
https://www.gov.si/en/policies/business-and-economy/consumer-and-competition-protection/

https://www.gov.si/en/topics/consumer-protection/

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SLOVENIA&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Slovenia

|-
|Spain
|
https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/empresas/inicio-gestion-cierre/practicas-comerciales/derechos-consumidores.html

https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/AreaTematica/DocumentacionPublicaciones/Documents/
Consolidated_text_of_the_general_consumer_and_user_Protection_Act_and_other_complementary_laws_%28Ley.PDF
https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SPAIN&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Spain

|-
|Sweden
|
https://www.informationsverige.se/en/om-sverige/att-forsorja-sig-och-utvecklas-i-sverige/konsumentratt.html

https://verksamt.se/en/agreement-invoicing/if-a-dispute-arises/consumer-law

https://e-justice.europa.eu/37165/EN/enforcement?SWEDEN&member=1

https://gdprhub.eu/index.php?title=Data_Protection_in_Sweden

|-
|}
[[Category:Legislation in Europe]]
[[Category:European Union]]

European Union

2026-05-14T01:15:11Z

Tracerneo: /* Consumer rights legislation */ GDPR

{{CompanyCargo
|CompanyAlias=EU
|Founded=1993
|Logo=Flag of Europe.svg
|Type=Government
|Website=https://european-union.europa.eu/
|Description=The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
}}
The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a political and [[wikipedia:economic union|economic union]] of 27 [[wikipedia:Member state of the European Union|member states]] that are [[wikipedia:Geography of the European Union|located primarily]] in Europe.

Article 169 of the [[wikipedia:TFEU|Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]] enables the EU to use its [[wikipedia:ordinary legislative procedure|ordinary legislative procedure]] to protect consumers "health, safety and economic interests" and promote rights to "information, education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests".<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Consolidated_version_of_the_Treaty_on_the_Functioning_of_the_European_Union/Title_XV:_Consumer_Protection art 169]</ref> All member states may grant higher protection, and a "high level of consumer protection" is regarded as a fundamental right.<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] art 169(3) and the [[wikipedia:CFREU|CFREU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Charter_of_Fundamental_Rights_of_the_European_Union#Article_38_.E2.80.93_Consumer_protection art 38]</ref>

==Consumer rights legislation==
* Product Liability Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/2853/oj 2024/2853]
** replacing [[wikipedia:Product Liability Directive 1985|Product Liability Directive 1985]]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Directive 1993|Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1993/13/oj 93/13/EEC]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005|Unfair Commercial Practices]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/29/oj 2005/29/EC]
* [[wikipedia:Consumer Rights Directive 2011|Consumer Rights]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/83/oj 2011/83/EU]
* [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (Regulation (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj 2016/679])
* [[Right to repair]] Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1799/oj 2024/1799] (''R2RD'')

==Incidents==
This is a list of the most important consumer-protection incidents concerning European Union. Full list of relevant pages can be found under [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Stop Destroying Videogames (ECI)===
{{Main|Stop Killing Games}}
On 19 June 2024, "'''Stop Destroying Videogames'''" was registered as a '''European Citizens' Initiative''' by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures.

The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

European Union

2026-05-14T01:07:09Z

Tracerneo: /* Stop Destroying Videogames (ECI) */

{{CompanyCargo
|CompanyAlias=EU
|Founded=1993
|Logo=Flag of Europe.svg
|Type=Government
|Website=https://european-union.europa.eu/
|Description=The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
}}
The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a political and [[wikipedia:economic union|economic union]] of 27 [[wikipedia:Member state of the European Union|member states]] that are [[wikipedia:Geography of the European Union|located primarily]] in Europe.

Article 169 of the [[wikipedia:TFEU|Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]] enables the EU to use its [[wikipedia:ordinary legislative procedure|ordinary legislative procedure]] to protect consumers "health, safety and economic interests" and promote rights to "information, education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests".<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Consolidated_version_of_the_Treaty_on_the_Functioning_of_the_European_Union/Title_XV:_Consumer_Protection art 169]</ref> All member states may grant higher protection, and a "high level of consumer protection" is regarded as a fundamental right.<ref>[[wikipedia:TFEU|TFEU]] art 169(3) and the [[wikipedia:CFREU|CFREU]] [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Charter_of_Fundamental_Rights_of_the_European_Union#Article_38_.E2.80.93_Consumer_protection art 38]</ref>

==Consumer rights legislation==
* Product Liability Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/2853/oj 2024/2853]
** replacing [[wikipedia:Product Liability Directive 1985|Product Liability Directive 1985]]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Directive 1993|Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1993/13/oj 93/13/EEC]
* [[wikipedia:Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005|Unfair Commercial Practices]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/29/oj 2005/29/EC]
* [[wikipedia:Consumer Rights Directive 2011|Consumer Rights]] Directive [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/83/oj 2011/83/EU]
* [[Right to repair]] Directive (EU) [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1799/oj 2024/1799] (''R2RD'')

==Incidents==
This is a list of the most important consumer-protection incidents concerning European Union. Full list of relevant pages can be found under [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Stop Destroying Videogames (ECI)===
{{Main|Stop Killing Games}}
On 19 June 2024, "'''Stop Destroying Videogames'''" was registered as a '''European Citizens' Initiative''' by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures.

The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

European Union

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Tracerneo: /* Consumer rights legislation */

European Union

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Tracerneo: stub

European Union

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Tracerneo: European Union (new page from template)

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1993
|Logo=Flag of Europe.svg
|Type=Government
|Website=https://european-union.europa.eu/
|Description=The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Flag of Europe.svg

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Tracerneo: The Flag of Europe is the flag and emblem of the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE). It consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on a blue background. It was created in 1955 by the CoE and adopted by the EU, then the European Communities, in the 1980s.

== Summary ==
The Flag of Europe is the flag and emblem of the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE). It consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on a blue background. It was created in 1955 by the CoE and adopted by the EU, then the European Communities, in the 1980s.
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}