French prosecutor launches probe into Apple planned obsolescence: judicial source

PARIS (Reuters) - A French prosecutor has launched an investigation of U.S. tech giant Apple (AAPL.O) over alleged deception and planned obsolescence of its products following a complaint by a consumer organization, a judicial source said on Monday.

The investigation, opened on Friday, will be led by French consumer fraud watchdog DGCCRF, part of the Economy Ministry, the source said.

A French consumer association called “HOP” -- standing for “Stop Planned Obsolescence” -- filed a legal complaint.