Samsung is facing a lawsuit related to its advertisement of the water resistance feature of its Galaxy phones.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission argues that Samsung made "false, misleading, and deceptive representations in advertising the water resistance of various 'Galaxy' branded mobile phones." The ACCC goes on to explain that since February 2016, Samsung has shown ads in which its Galaxy phones are used in oceans and swimming pools.
However, the ACCC claims that Samsung didn't have a reasonable basis for making those representations because it didn't adequately test how exposing a Galaxy phone to water might affect its usable life and because Samsung held the view that using Galaxy phones in anything other than fresh water could damage them. For example, Samsung says that the Galaxy S10 is "not advised for beach or pool use."
Samsung has also denied warranty claims from customers whose phones were damaged when used in water, the ACCC says.
The phones included in the ACCC's lawsuit include the Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e; Galaxy S9 and S9+; Galaxy S8 and S8+; Galaxy S7 and S7 edge; Galaxy Note 7, Note 8, and Note 9; and Galaxy A5, A7, and A8.
Samsung has told Reuters that it stands by its advertising and complied with Australian law, and it intends to defend the case.
