Apple Faces Sales Ban in the U.S. as Smartwatch Showdown with Government

In a recent development, Apple finds itself in a bit of a pickle with the U.S. government regarding its smartwatches. The company has been hit with a ban on selling two of its newest and most loved wearables – the Watch Ultra 2 and the Watch Series 9 – in the United States.The U.S. government recently said that Apple did something wrong. A group called the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) decided in October that Apple broke some rules.

These rules were about a special technology that checks the level of oxygen in your blood. The rights to this technology belong to a company in California named Masimo. Because Apple didn’t follow these rules, they can’t sell certain smartwatches in the U.S anymore.


The USITC recommended a ban on the import and sale of Apple Watches that incorporated the disputed technology. The Biden administration had a window until the end of Christmas Day to either support or reject this decision. However, it chose not to take any action, allowing the 60-day presidential review period to quietly come to an end.

Read More: Apple’s Bid to Block Lawsuit Over Defective iPhone Batteries Fails

The infringement case revolves around the technology used in Apple’s smartwatches, specifically related to monitoring blood oxygen levels. Masimo, the medical monitoring company, claimed that Apple used its patented technology without permission.

Read More: Apple Releases Software Update to Resolve iPhone 15 Overheating Issue


The USITC agreed with Masimo and imposed the ban on the sale of certain Apple smartwatches in the U.S. The decision has left Apple unable to sell the Watch Ultra 2 and the Watch Series 9 in the United States.