It’s not hard to find counterfeit Apple products and accessories to buy online, especially when it comes to accessories like AirPods, chargers, and iPhone cases. Apple of course doesn’t like this at all, and the company is taking further steps to crack down on sales of counterfeit products in Latin America with Mercado Libre.
For those unfamiliar, Mercado Libre (also known as Mercado Livre in Brazil) is one of the most popular online marketplaces in Latin America. Sellers who offer products through the platform have received an email claiming that the company will apply tougher penalties to those who sell counterfeit Apple products.
In the email seen by 9to5MacMercado Libre says these actions will be taken “if Apple confirms a report of counterfeit products,” suggesting the two companies are working together to stop sales of such items.
Among the new measures, Mercado Libre will remove all Apple product listings from a seller if one is identified as counterfeit. The seller will also be prohibited from selling any other Apple product through Mercado Libre in the future. The company is asking sellers to review their listings to avoid restrictions on their accounts once the new measures take effect.
Bloomberg last year reported that Apple had set up a dedicated team to suppress sales of counterfeit accessories on Instagram and Facebook. In most cases, these products are sold under the Apple brand but at much lower prices than the original products. However, some sellers deceive customers and sell counterfeit products as if they were originals.
Mercado Libre says listings of counterfeit Apple products will be removed from February 22. It should be noted that Apple has an official market on Mercado Libre to sell its original products in Latin America. It’s unclear whether Apple will take similar action with its partners in other regions.
H/T: William Max.
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