Australia fines Samsung A$14M over misleading phone water-resistance claims

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission imposed a A$14 million fine on Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. unit Samsung Electronics Australia Pty. Ltd. over misleading claims about the water-resistant capabilities of several Samsung phones.

The ACCC, which reviewed hundreds of consumer complaints, said Samsung Australia admitted that it misled consumers about the suitability of the S7, S7 Edge, A5 (2017), A7 (2017), S8, S8 Plus and Note 8 Samsung Galaxy phones to be submerged in pool and sea water.

Samsung Australia made the false claims about the phones through marketing campaigns from March 2016 to October 2018, the ACCC said in a statement. The company has since acknowledged that submerging the devices in water could corrode their charging port. The phones could also stop working if they are charged while still wet.

The regulator launched proceedings against Samsung Australia in 2019 in connection with the water-resistance claims.