In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India addressed a key issue involving Apple India's Responsibility in Tracing Stolen iPhones.
The Top Court Stated that Apple has no Duty to Trace Stolen iPhones using Unique Identity Numbers, as it quashed an observation made by the Odisha State Consumer Commission, The Supreme Court deemed the observation made by the Consumer Commission as "unwarranted".
The Bench Comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma heard an appeal filed by Apple India against the Consumer Commission's order.
The case began when a consumer, who had purchased an iPhone with theft insurance, reported the theft of his phone to the police and Apple India. Despite this, Apple India took no action to track the stolen device. The consumer filed a complaint, leading to a District Consumer Forum ruling in their favour. Apple India appealed this decision to the Odisha State Consumer Commission.
The Odisha State Consumer Commission's ruling stated that Apple India, as the iPhone's manufacturer, was obligated to trace the stolen device using its unique identity number. Apple India disagreed, arguing against being forced to act as a law enforcement agency. Dissatisfied with the ruling, Apple India took the case to the Supreme Court.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court overturned the Odisha State Consumer Commission's directive, stating it was unjustified. While acknowledging Apple India's compensation to the consumer, the Supreme Court emphasised that requiring Apple India to trace stolen phones was not warranted.
Consequently, the Supreme Court ordered the removal of the contentious paragraph from the State Commission's order, clarifying the obligations of corporations in such cases.
