France probes Apple over restricting smartphone repair

An investigation has been opened in France in December 2022, after a complaint against Apple over allegations of "planned obsolescence" according to Paris prosecutor's office on May 15, 2023. — Photo by Philippe HUGUEN/AFP

PARIS: France is investigating US tech giant Apple over it allegedly planning for smartphones to become out of date through restricting their repair, prosecutors and an association said on Monday.

The probe into purported misleading commercial practices and planned obsolescence has been under way since December, the Paris prosecutor's office said.