April 25, 2024

• 

[THE INVESTOR] Italy’s antitrust authority has launched a probe on Samsung Electronics and Apple on suspicions that the two tech giants slowed down their older model smartphones intentionally to induce users to buy new ones.

The agency on Jan. 19 said the two companies will be probed on their possible unfair commercial practices following complaints filed by consumers. Local press reports said the two companies are believed to have used defects of certain components in their aged mobile phones to slow down functions of the gadgets. If confirmed, they could be fined, according to the reports.

Apple admitted last month that it tinkered with the speed of some iPhones through software updates to solve battery problems.

Consumers worldwide are filing lawsuits against the US firm.

Samsung told PhoneArena, a US media outlet for IT news, last month that it does not slow down phones with older batteries.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)