The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ), joined by 16 other state and district attorneys general, on Thursday filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Apple illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones by selectively imposing contractual restrictions on, and withholding critical access points from, developers. Apple undermines apps, products, and services that would otherwise make users less reliant on the iPhone, promote interoperability, and lower costs for consumers and developers. Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others. Through this monopolization lawsuit, the Justice Department and state Attorneys General are seeking relief to restore competition to these vital markets on behalf of the American public.
“Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices. That is the Justice Department’s legal obligation and what the American people expect and deserve.”
“No matter how powerful, no matter how prominent, no matter how popular — no company is above the law,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Through today’s action, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to that principle.”
“When corporations engage in anticompetitive conduct, the American people and our economy suffer,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today’s action against Apple sends a strong signal to those seeking to box out competitors and stifle innovation — that the Justice Department is committed to using every tool available to advance economic justice and root out anticompetitive practices, wherever they arise.”
“For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of “Whac-A-Mole” contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Apple accountable and ensure it cannot deploy the same, unlawful playbook in other vital markets.”
As alleged in the complaint, Apple has monopoly power in the smartphone and performance smartphones markets, and it uses its control over the iPhone to engage in a broad, sustained, and illegal course of conduct. This anticompetitive behavior is designed to maintain Apple’s monopoly power while extracting as much revenue as possible. The complaint alleges that Apple’s anticompetitive course of conduct has taken several forms, many of which continue to evolve today, including:
• Blocking Innovative Super Apps. Apple has disrupted the growth of apps with broad functionality that would make it easier for consumers to switch between competing smartphone platforms.
• Suppressing Mobile Cloud Streaming Services. Apple has blocked the development of cloud-streaming apps and services that would allow consumers to enjoy high-quality video games and other cloud-based applications without having to pay for expensive smartphone hardware.
• Excluding Cross-Platform Messaging Apps. Apple has made the quality of cross-platform messaging worse, less innovative, and less secure for users so that its customers have to keep buying iPhones.
• Diminishing the Functionality of Non-Apple Smartwatches. Apple has limited the functionality of third-party smartwatches so that users who purchase the Apple Watch face substantial out-of-pocket costs if they do not keep buying iPhones.
• Limiting Third Party Digital Wallets. Apple has prevented third-party apps from offering tap-to-pay functionality, inhibiting the creation of cross-platform third-party digital wallets.
The complaint also alleges that Apple’s conduct extends beyond these examples, affecting web browsers, video communication, news subscriptions, entertainment, automotive services, advertising, location services, and more. Apple has every incentive to extend and expand its course of conduct to acquire and maintain power over next-frontier devices and technologies.
For over a century, the Department has enforced the antitrust laws against illegal monopolies, deploying the Sherman Act to unfetter markets and restore competition. As alleged in the complaint, the Department is seeking equitable relief on behalf of the American public to redress Apple’s long-running, pervasive anticompetitive conduct.
Apple Inc. is a publicly traded company incorporated in California and headquartered in Cupertino, California. In fiscal year 2023, Apple generated annual net revenues of $383 billion and net income of $97 billion. Apple’s net income exceeds any other company in the Fortune 500 and the gross domestic products of more than 100 countries.
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MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s iPhone currently holds U.S. market share of 60.77%. Not a monopoly. iPhone currently holds worldwide market share of 24.70%. Again, not a monopoly. “Attempted monopolization” is not illegal; it’s the goal of every for-profit business.
MacDailyNews Note: In a statement to the media, Apple said the lawsuit is “wrong on the facts and the law,” and the company vowed to “vigorously defend” itself:
At Apple, we innovate every day to make technology people love—designing products that work seamlessly together, protect people’s privacy and security, and create a magical experience for our users. This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple — where hardware, software, and services intersect. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it.
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Now, Apple gets what it paid for: 92.08% to Democrat Party politicians last cycle.
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/apple-inc/totals?id=D000021754
One of your finest posts … ever.
The DOJ was joined by a bipartisan committee of States Attorneys General.
13 of the states where democrats and 3 where republicans. But make no mistake the leadership is DOJ democrat. If Tump was president this wouldn’t have happened. So yes, Apple is getting the government they voted for. Instead of name call why don’t you share your idea why you think its a good idea for the DOJ to sue apple.
How many parties do you count?
Americans: This is what happens when you don’t spay or neuter your libturds!
You have to admit (Typ Tru-ass), in these days of fluid law, that means absolutely nothing. Law/order/justice are f’d and the Constitution is considered too radical by many. When a member of SCOTUS can’t say she knows how define a woman….
For a long time the Oracle of Omaha’s statement, “invest in company’s that have a moat” was revered by investors. It now appears Buffett was promoting monopolization? Absurd, of course, as he was promoting progress and business excellence that would set a business a part from the rest. Now, it’s too cruel as equalization and fairness rues the day. All for one–one for all has a better ring_To ea according to their ability and? …/s
This is not a partisan political issue. The investigation began under Trump’s Justice Department in 2019. It was/is a continuing investigation. Several of the State Attorneys General involved are Republican.
As to the merits, I agree with the majority here that the lawsuit is largely BS. No one cared when Apple was on the brink because of Microsoft monkey business.
Wrong.
Fact: President Trump’s DOJ did not sue Apple claiming monopoly abuse of a monopoly that does not exist. The “Biden” DOJ, led by Merrick Garland, a shit-stain in the shape of a puny weasel, did.
There is zero point zero percent chance Trump DOJ would file these charges. He will probably immediately end this upon inauguration.
Is that what they call incarceration today?
One question. Monopoly? Where is the suit against GOOGLE?
Apple employees from feckless Cook on down voted for this shit.
Marinate in it, Apple.
Hey, Apple, at least there’s no mean tweets!
🤣🤣🤣
Leftist Kalifornia idiots who voted for their own demise get the comeuppance they deserve.
I guarandamntee you that this will embolden the EU to go all-out on woke ass Apple. I say ream them a new one (which is exactly what they probably want).
Apple is not a monopoly. The DOJ should focus on putting fascist trump in Leavenworth and preserving our democracy.
I’d rather have a fascist than an ENSLAVEMENT Marxist. Obviously, you don’t know the difference…
President Trump is not a fascist.
President Trump is an anti-establishment populist and American patriot.
Look up the terms. The dictionary is your friend; ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/MSNBC/NYT/WaPo are not.
Got it. Preserve democracy by placing the leading candidate in prison. I think you are controlled by news propaganda.
jbpdx, you stupid fsck:
DOJ: Biden is too senile to prosecute for corruption and treason
Liburds: It’s OK the let the lying, corrupt, racist, pedophile dementia patient continue as a puppet in the White House.
Having a dementia patient running the government shows us just how little we need the government and how fscking stupid libturds are.
Libturd stupidity has caused:
-Lying, corrupt, racist, pedophile, dementia patient and whore installed in the White House
–complete unquailed VP who is unable to form a single sentence
-two completely unqualified judges on the Supreme Court place there because of their race and sex instead of qualifications.
-Burning cities
-Occupy movement
-Doubled gas prices
-Gas pipeline shut down
-US emergency oil stockpiles drop to lowest level since 1983
-Unaffordable healthcare insurance
-Legalization of marijuana
-Baby killing
-Wants to ban gas stoves to save children but has no problem killing unborn children
-Destroyed economy
-Crashed stock market
-Upcoming recession
-Highest inflation in 40 years
-Weaponized IRS
-Destroyed school system
-Open border crisis
-Illegal aliens getting drivers licenses
-Illegal aliens getting free medical insurance
-Illegal aliens getting tax-payer money
– National Guard pay delayed after congress celebrates itself for spending $1.7 Trillion
-Trading a useless, athlete for a notorious arms dealer (Merchant of Death), while leaving behind a USMC veteran, because she is an anti-American, black lezbo.
-Releasing a notorious arms dealer (Merchant of Death) while trying to deprive Americans the right to defend themselves with gun control so we can protect ourselves from violent libturds
-Red flag laws
-Voter fraud enabling
-No voter ID
-Illegals allow to vote
-Illegals given drivers licenses
-Labeling all non-libturds as domestic terrorists
-Labeling all non-libturds as racist
-“Extremists” used to be real terrorists, now it people who want to secure the border or keep pornography out of elementary schools
-Electric car mandates during electric crisis
-Woke bullshit
-“Identify as” bullshit
-“Inclusion” but only what libturds want to include
-Kneeling for National Anthem
-Woke hirings preferred over actual competence
-Obese, mentally ill person installed as head of health
-Mentally ill, genderfluid ‘puppy’ thief installed at Department of Energy
-Jill Biden gives biological male “Women of Courage” award
-320 genders
-It/that, them/they, and WTF pronouns
-Misgendering bullshit
-Epstein client list hidden
-Russia collusion bullshit
-Destruction of free speech
-Transgender perversion forced on children
-Drag queen story hours
-Boys in the girls’ bathrooms.
-Tampon dispensers in the men’s room
-Boys in girls’ sports
-Mentally ill man pretending to be a woman on a beer can
-Mentally ill man being a model for women’s underwear-
-Cancel culture in the name of “tolerance”
-Not OK for a child to pretend to be an Indian for a game, but OK for a man to pretend to be a woman in real life
-Men can get pregnant
-Record underemployment
-Defund police
-Soft on crime policies
-Zero bail laws
-Record high crime
-Obese, ugly men winning female beauty pageants
-Food shortages
-Corruption of Legislators
-Corruption of Judges
-Corrupt FBI
-Corrupt CIA
-Corrupt media
-Corrupt social media
-Acceptance of Socialism and rejection of Capitalism
-Election and reelection of incredibly stupid, mentally unfit politicians: AOC, racist Omar, We have to pass it to find out what in it, Pelosi, Guam will tip over Hank Johnson, brain damaged Fetterman, Dementia Joe—just to name a few.
-Ukraine gets: $200 billion, Congress gets: 41% pay increase, Taliban gets: $85 billion, Iran gets: $200 billion, American get: $7 eggs, $4 gas, 50% increase on electricity, free crack pipes, open
borders, fentanyl crisis, toxic spills
-The list goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and…
And you are so fscking stupid that you think you are the smart ones!
You want to start a revolution, but you can’t even start a lawnmower.
The next civil war will be fought between Americans and libturds. One side has 300 million firearms and trillions of rounds of ammunition, the other has strap-on dildos and toilet plungers.
Fsck Joe Biden. Fsck libturds
Can’t wait for the big loss in November. Hope someone YouTubes you as you break out in anal orifices and excrete yourself to death so we can all enjoy.
Remember how much better this country was when people as stupid as libturds were locked away in mental institutions?
Texzen, even by libturd standards, you are a particularly stupid fuck
Common sense and logic are foreign to TDS sufferers.
The hits just keep coming…
U.S. DOJ sues Apple for allegedly ‘monopolizing smartphone markets’
Judge denies Apple’s attempt to dismiss a class-action lawsuit over AirTag stalking
Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match file legal petition protesting Apple’s App Store policies
Defrauded shareholders $490 million settlement
Cancellation of Project Titan
$2 billion EU fine
iPhone sales down in China ~24% YoY
Epic account restoration in Europe and possibly in the US
Third Party AppStores BS in Europe
Meanwhile Apple refuses to sell Vision Pro in its European stores. Do we need to complain to EU commissioner Margrethe Vestager and US DOJ, So maybe they can force Apple to sell Vision Pro in Europe?
Apple iPhones are the top selling phones in China and were down only 2.4% percentage points Year-over-Year while all other cellular handset makers were down more than twice that in YoY figures. So your claims are speciously disingenuous when compared to an overall down trending phone market in China.
Election year move by the DOJ…and a strange one. Only the lawyers will win. Apple will fight this off, for the most part. Agreed, jailing the orange fascist, grifter, blowhard, racist, woman raping, mob boss national embarrassment that is Dumpty Trumpty should have been prioritized earlier as a focus.
Extreme Marxists like Texzen, CAREFULLY call their favorite DOJ “strange” about as GENTLE a description you can get. Immediately move on quickly with GASLIGHTING DEFLECTION CRITICISM directed at President Trump who HAS ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with a Leftist Democrat DOJ, going after the richest Leftist woke company in history, after showering the Democrats with millions of dollars.
That’s the issue here folks, not the worn out smear tactics of the Left that FAIL to clean up and criticize, prosecute and jail their own party scum IS the focus.
BTW Texzen, the bumbling, stumbling, lying, leftist puppet owned by the woke crowd does absolutely NOTHING for the people of the USA in both parties. Everyone knows it and that’s why Bribery Biden will LOSE in a landside…
Thanks, Gomer. Unfortunately for your squint eyed analysis, I voted for this maggot twice. Now have a nice night in your trailer playing with your Trump superhero trading cards and dream up new ways to make an ass out of yourself.
Texzen,
Know how stupid the average libturd is?
Half of them are dumber than that. And you are definitely in the lowest category
Yeah right, formally know as TxUSER you voted for Trump twice and are a Republican living in Texas. LOL!
I’m immune from Leftist elitist stupidity and noted your juvenile potty mouth insults are meaningless…
This case against Apple is more objective evidence of the politicization of our legal system. Those on this thread dumbing on Trump are part of the problem. Love or hate Trump, I don’t care. But, we all better realize that our courts now use the law to get ideological opponents, like in Cuba, Valenzuela, old Soviets. If they can do this to Apple and Trump they can do it to your company and to you. If you don’t fit the politically approved narrative of the moment, they will be coming for you. Take a look around you, it’s bound to scare you.
this is a hornets nest as when Apple debut the store there wasn’t no choices. Development caused expansion. You can also argue that Xbox/playstation or even John Deer or Tesla have to allow third party software in their machines as well, (being a closed system). Why can’t I sell my Playstation game without Sony Approval or put my stupid app on my Tesla to monitor the temperature with a dancing hamster? What about apple’s macs, should people allow to install their own OS’s with their hardware limitations because of apple limited drivers?
Except for the Wallet issue, the other accusations are just plain doofus.
Why didn’t the DOJ say that Apple must give up its monopoly on the M1, M2, and M3 chips? Talk about creating superior chipsets and not giving them to anyone is true monopoly power. Not, of course, except in the eyes of the absolutely corrupt “justice” system under which we currently suffer.
Last time the USA government went after Apple Obama was president. Good job Joe Biden voters, not only did you bring this to Apple, but you also helped to start the war in Ukraine, and are responsible for the demise of the U$D as money is printed en masse and spent on war, illegal student debt payoffs, and on supporting the 12 million illegals who may or may not be criminals.
Apple should not control who or where you can purchase software from.
It is similar to buying a car and then having the manufacturer dictating who and where you can buy gasoline from.
Apple does that to protect you from your own stupidity
All Androids ship with the option to use 3rd party App stores turned off “to protect you from your own stupidity”. Unlike iOS it’s an option given to every user that feels competent enough.
The first post was politicised and then the whole analysis went down the gurglar. You people (both sides) need to have a serious look at yourselves in the mirror. You really are pathetic and just look at the level of discourse…pathetic.