Apple claims sabotage on exploding iPhones

Apple has scotched reports that a series of exploding iPhone incidents in France were caused by an overheated battery.

The iPhone manufacturer claimed instead that all the handsets in question with broken screens were caused by external force applied to the phone.

“To date, there are no confirmed battery overheating incidents for iPhone 3GS and the number of reports we are investigating is in the single digits,” Apple said in a statement.
 
France’s Consumer watchdog DGCCRF has launched an investigation into the explosions, which were taken seriously as consumers in the UK, Holland and Sweden also reported similar issues.
 
The European Commission broadcast an alert to its 27 member states about the problem using its Rapex “rapid alert” system, which issues alerts for potentially dangerous consumer products. Apple has sold 26 million iPhones and 200 million iPods.
 
France’s secretary of state for trade and consumer affairs, Herve Novelli, will meet Apple's Michel Coulomb to talk about measures to stop further incidents occurring. 
 
Earlier this month, the Times reported that Apple attempted to silence a UK family following an iPod explosion. 
 
The family claimed Apple offered the family a full refund on condition that they sign a settlement that included a gag order. Apple also has been sued by a consumer in Ohio who alleges the iPod set the user’s pants on fire, causing second-degree burns.