Brazil’s consumer protection agency has imposed a fine of nearly $2 million on Apple for not bundling a charger in the iPhone 12 box.

According to international media reports, the Consumer Rights Agency in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo has ruled on public complaints of “misleading advertising, selling a device without the charger and unfair terms.”

The report further said that the agency had questioned Apple about the issue last year as well.

After the introduction of the iPhone 12, the agency began receiving complaints from consumers in December 2020 however Apple did not respond when asked about whether the company had slashed the price of the iPhone 12 after removing the charger.

The company also did not respond to questions such as what was the price of the handset with and without the charger.

“Apple needs to understand that in Brazil there are solid consumer protection laws and institutions. It needs to respect these laws and these institutions,” said consumer protection agency.

The agency instructed Apple to provide chargers and charging cables to address the complaints, but rejected the US company's decision.

Apple reacted by saying that the decision was made while maintaining efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The agency said in a statement that Apple would have to prove its claim that removing chargers and iPads would reduce carbon emissions.

The US company has the option to challenge the fine, but has not filed an appeal.