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Apple iPhones come with unique ID numbers that serve as an identification mark for them in certain cases. However, the manufacturer does not have a duty to trace stolen iPhones using these identity numbers, overturning the observation of the Odisha State Consumer Commission, the Supreme Court of India observed.The apex court added that the observation of the state consumer body was "unwarranted".The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma was hearing the appeal of Apple India that challenged the commission's order passed as a result of a complaint that concerned a stolen iPhone, according to Livelaw. While the company settled to pay the complainant as directed by the state commission, it objected to the directive around tracing stolen devices, which claimed it was Apple's duty to do so.Apple India claimed with these directions of the consumer body, the company will end up being the "law-enforcing agency of recovering lost products". The Supreme Court observed that the complainant was compensated by Apple for the loss incurred because of the stolen iPhone. Further, it obliterated the relevant paragraph that concerns the duty to track the device in the state commission's order.As for some background for the case, the complainant purchased the iPhone and the insurance which covered the losses from theft. Once the phone was stolen, he filed an FIR and informed Apple India. Once he did not receive a reaction from Apple, he filed a case in the District Consumer Forum, which directed the company to pay Rs 40,000 (cost of the phone) and Rs 5,000 as litigation charges to the owner.
Apple later filed an appeal against the forum's order concerning the relevant paragraph around lost iPhone tracking to the State Commission and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which were dismissed. Finally, the tech giant moved a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the SC after the NCDRC dismissed their revision application.
TAGS: Apple iPhones Unique ID Numbers Identification Mark Odisha State Consumer Commission Supreme Court of India
