Chinese regulator: Consumers must be protected against Apple's Chinese warranty practices
A notice sent out by China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce on Thursday requested authorities to take action against Apple's reportedly harmful after-sales service, but offered no specifics as to what the company has done wrong or how to fix it.
The notice, calling for tighter supervision of Apple's dealings in China, was cited by the state-run China National Radio, reports Reuters, and appears to be part of a government led crusade against the Cupertino company.
CNR said the announcement was in direct response to "widespread reports" that Apple's warranty service is hurting Chinese consumers. According to the media outlet, these reports were first seen on March 15, the same day that state-run China Central Television attacked Apple in its annual "Consumer Rights Day" piece meant to expose the iPhone maker's bias "against Chinese consumers in its warranty and customer service policies."
Ultimately, the smear campaign backfired after a series of suspicious posts popped up on Chinese microblogging site Weibo. In the messages, a number of notable celebrities showed support for the broadcast, though one from actor Peter Ho included the phrase, "Need to send out at about 8:20 pm," suggesting that at least some of the anti-Apple rhetoric was premeditated as many posts hit Weibo at the specified time.
At issue is Apple's warranty practices in the country, which critics claim is inadequate compared to services offered elsewhere in the world. Some critics say the company offers shorter coverage periods in China, while others report broken devices are replaced by refurbished products instead of brand new units.
Apple countered the accusations last week, saying that its existing warranty policies were nearly the same worldwide, with deviations allowed for regional laws.
The notice, calling for tighter supervision of Apple's dealings in China, was cited by the state-run China National Radio, reports Reuters, and appears to be part of a government led crusade against the Cupertino company.
CNR said the announcement was in direct response to "widespread reports" that Apple's warranty service is hurting Chinese consumers. According to the media outlet, these reports were first seen on March 15, the same day that state-run China Central Television attacked Apple in its annual "Consumer Rights Day" piece meant to expose the iPhone maker's bias "against Chinese consumers in its warranty and customer service policies."
Ultimately, the smear campaign backfired after a series of suspicious posts popped up on Chinese microblogging site Weibo. In the messages, a number of notable celebrities showed support for the broadcast, though one from actor Peter Ho included the phrase, "Need to send out at about 8:20 pm," suggesting that at least some of the anti-Apple rhetoric was premeditated as many posts hit Weibo at the specified time.
At issue is Apple's warranty practices in the country, which critics claim is inadequate compared to services offered elsewhere in the world. Some critics say the company offers shorter coverage periods in China, while others report broken devices are replaced by refurbished products instead of brand new units.
Apple countered the accusations last week, saying that its existing warranty policies were nearly the same worldwide, with deviations allowed for regional laws.
Comments
Apple: Consumers must be protected against disgusting, pathetic, hilarious, laughable, shameful, dishonorable Chinese knock-offs.
Funny... I'm guessing that the LAST thing the good folks living in China NEED is 'protection' from Apple. Maybe the Chinese government should spend a moment or two in front of mirror before they start pointing accusatory fingers?
Apple IS dependent on China for now. It's not about wages. There's no comparable supply chain and rapid adaptability of manufacturing in the US. But over time, I wonder what Apple's big cash hoard might be able to build in the US? I'm sure Apple's considering their toe-hold in US manufacturing as something with the possibility to become more--not soon, but in years to come. (Better to have a long-term backup plan than no backup plan at all!)
Simple commercial tit for tat.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/28/us-usa-cybersecurity-espionage-idUSBRE92Q18O20130328
Poor Apple, caught in the middle.
As for those who think cyber espionage only goes one way, where do you think all that cyber warfare budget went? Surely no one thinks that Chinese computer networks are more sophisticated and are less penetrable by elite US hackers/IT soldiers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
I'm sensing a lot of animosity toward the Chinese here.
Can you provide quotes?
I'm only sensing animosity towards the Chinese government, mixed with a couple comments expressing legitimate concern for the Chinese themselves.
Just towards the Chinese government.
Originally Posted by buckalec
%u6C92%u6709%u53CD%u624B%u4E00%u64CA (no back hander)
I think you mean ??????. (enlarged because that last one is a heck of a doozy…)
How did you enter those characters? Just for bug purposes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by whytoi
Simple commercial tit for tat.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/28/us-usa-cybersecurity-espionage-idUSBRE92Q18O20130328
Poor Apple, caught in the middle.
As for those who think cyber espionage only goes one way, where do you think all that cyber warfare budget went? Surely no one thinks that Chinese computer networks are more sophisticated and are less penetrable by elite US hackers/IT soldiers.
Not a bad theory--especially if other American companies get caught up in the same way. (I can see how Apple would make a juicy first target.)
This definitely smells like it's about something other than what they say it is. Especially when they're hiring astroturfers and, now, making vague statements without dictating specific actions.
What's the something? Cyber attacks are as good a guess as any, I suppose. Either a backlash from US attacks OR simply a backlash from the US letting the world know about Chinese attacks.
The US certainly has its own cyber warfare program, seemingly quite advanced (in partnership with others). Whether the US or China is ahead is not an obvious answer! Also, I'd suspect the Chinese government is slightly more likely than the US to make (and worry less about world opinion regarding) purely economic (not military/nuclear-related) attacks. After all, the Stuxnet story got out. Attacks on China by the US for purely economic reasons could get out as well and look VERY bad on the world stage (as if the US needs more reasons for that). Whereas I feel that China would just shrug and deny--they don't even hide that kind of thing much (today's story being just one example).
China is largely bereft of any moral sensibilities. That's what socialism does to the soul of a people. (It's so easily and repetitively seen when you look at Russia, North Korea, Cuba, former East Germany)
*No authorities tried to stop the on-court gang violence. They just sat back and enjoyed it.
If China really wanted to put pressure on US companies (or simply help their own companies unfairly), it's easy to imagine the helpless position Apple (and others) would be in. China could easily stage industrial "accidents," fake mass "protests," fake backdated "patents," fake "epidemics" of iPhones catching fire... you name it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigAppleW
...China is largely bereft of any moral sensibilities. That's what socialism does to the soul of a people. (It's so easily and repetitively seen when you look at Russia, North Korea, Cuba, former East Germany)...
You've made two errors: "a people" and "socialism." Both are used too broadly. China's abuses here are not socialist principles, and the actions of authorities are not "a people."
@ Freerange. You certainly have had your share of problems with Apple products! Great that the Chinese Apple Stores took such good care of you, but what does that say about Apple's products - or perhaps your "luck". Thankfully, as an Apple user since 1993, my problems with hardware have been few. I am a fairly advanced computer user, so rarely have to contact Apple for tech support, but when I have, and without exception, they have always seen my issue through to a complete resolution regardless of how much time needed to be spent on it.