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Apple Inc.

On October 23, 2024, the Bureau issued an order against Apple Inc. In December 2017 Apple and Goldman Sachs Bank USA (Goldman) entered an agreement to offer Apple Card, a credit card integrated with Apple software that offers both market-rate APRs and interest-free financing for qualifying Apple products. Goldman agreed to extend the credit offered through Apple Card and to investigate disputes submitted by consumers. Apple designed the consumer-facing interfaces that consumers used to manage Apple Card accounts on Apple devices, including the “Report an Issue” functionality in the “Wallet” application that allowed consumers to dispute Apple Card transactions using the “Messages” application, and developed the creative approach and design of Apple Card advertisements. Despite warnings to Goldman’s board on August 16, 2019 that the Apple Card disputes system was “not fully ready” due to technological issues, Goldman and Apple introduced the Apple card four days later on August 20, 2019. The Bureau found that Apple engaged in unfair acts or practices by failing to send transaction disputes to Goldman in violation of the CFPA. Separately, in December 2019, Goldman and Apple introduced Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI), which allowed Apple Card users to finance the purchase of certain Apple devices directly from Apple through the payment of interest-free monthly installments. The Bureau found that Apple engaged in deceptive acts or practices by misleading consumers to expect that purchases of Apple devices would automatically be enrolled in ACMI. The Bureau also found that Apple engaged in abusive acts or practices through its material interference with consumers’ understanding of ACMI enrollment by not even displaying the ACMI option in certain circumstances. The order requires Apple to pay a $25 million civil money penalty and to come into compliance with the law.

The Bureau separately took action against Goldman for its role in marketing, offering, and servicing the Apple Card. The order against Goldman requires it to pay $19.8 million in redress to consumers and a $45 million civil money penalty and to come into compliance with the law.

Consent Order

Stipulation

Press release

CFPB Orders Apple and Goldman Sachs to Pay Over $89 Million for Apple Card Failures

Case Docket

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