Pressured by China, Apple Apologizes for Warranty Policies

Consumer and labor advocates in the West often gripe that trade with China is a “race to the bottom” for wages or environmental standards. But China increasingly demonstrates the power of a huge, united market. On International Consumer Day, “China Central Television criticized the American company’s after-sales iPhone customer service in China because it gave only a one-year warranty, while in China the law is two years,” reports David Barboza and Nick Wingfield for the New York Times. When Apple didn’t respond, other media pursued the complaints; social-media users piled on. Some analysts suggest the campaign was orchestrated, perhaps even timed to coincide with US accusations against China for hacking and new US restrictions for companies subject to merger in choosing telecom-equipment suppliers. Apple’s chief executive quickly issued an apology for a “lack of communication,” and the company adjusted warranty policies. Analysts “speculate that the continuing media blitz against Apple is aimed at showing what the government can do to American technology giants.” The world’s most populous market can demonstrate great power. – YaleGlobal