Apple Under Fire in India for Alleged Performance Issues After iOS 18 Rollout

India’s Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to Apple Inc. in response to user complaints about performance issues on iPhones following the rollout of the iOS 18 software update.

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed the development, stating that the notice was issued after examining grievances submitted to the National Consumer Helpline.

Apple Asked to Respond to Performance Complaints

The notice seeks Apple’s explanation regarding reported technical glitches that users claim have affected their devices since the update. These issues, raised by iPhone users in India, have sparked regulatory scrutiny in one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets.

This isn’t the first time Apple has faced regulatory challenges in India. In 2022, the government flagged vulnerabilities in Apple devices, including iPhones, citing risks of unauthorized access and data theft. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, had issued advisories warning users about potential security risks in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.

A Market Under Pressure

India has been a significant market for Apple, with CEO Tim Cook emphasizing its role in the company’s global sales strategy. However, Apple’s market share has faced challenges globally, with the iPhone’s share dropping to 18% in 2024. Chinese competitors like Xiaomi and Vivo have gained ground, particularly in regions like China, where Apple’s underwhelming upgrades have been cited as a factor in declining sales.

Apple’s global iPhone sales dipped by 5% in the final quarter of 2024, leading to a 3% drop in the company’s share price to $229.72 on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this week.

Via