Singapore: Closed CCCS investigation into Lenovo Singapore and Want Join Information Technology for alleged unfair practices involving screen refresh rate

On 14 April 2022, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) closed the investigation into Lenovo Singapore Pte. Ltd. and Want Join Information Technology Pte. Ltd. for allegedly engaging in unfair practices under the Consumer Protection Fair Trading Act (CPFTA). The investigation was launched on the claims of a consumer who purchased a laptop after being misled by advertising online that stated that the laptop had a 144 Hz screen refresh rate. However, the laptop they received only had a 60 Hz screen refresh rate. The CCCS ascertained that between April 2019 and June 2020, Lenovo Singapore stated on its website that the screen refresh rate of its Legion Laptops could achieve a screen refresh rate of “up to 144 Hz”. However, the model comparison table for the full range of models of the Legion Laptop omitted the fact that only some of the models had a screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, giving rise to the impression that the “up to 144 Hz” screen refresh rate applied to all models. Both Lenovo Singapore and Want Join have stopped selling the Legion Laptop since June 2020 and March 2020, respectively. Both companies provided the CCCS with propositions to cease the unfair practices and not engage in any other unfair practices under the CPFTA. They further put in place internal compliance policies to ensure that their conduct in relation to advertising, marketing, and listings of their retail goods does not amount to unfair practice under the CPFTA. Because of the immediate ceasing of the relevant conduct, the CCCS accepted these propositions and closed its investigation.