Apple’s lawyers can hardly complain about being bored. The next lawsuit against the company comes from the highest level, namely the US Department of Justice.
Apple is once again in the firing line for alleged anti-competitive behavior. The US Department of Justice has announced that it is suing Apple for monopolizing the smartphone market. The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey District Court by the Department of Justice, 15 other state and district attorneys general, and Washington DC.
The basic allegations of the lawsuit are that Apple engages in anti-competitive behavior by making it difficult for consumers to switch to other smartphone platforms, maintaining a siled system that is incompatible with other companies’ apps and peripherals, and blocking third-party digital wallets. Another point is that no third-party cloud gaming apps are permitted, which is why, for example, Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW can only be used via the browser on iOS devices.
“We assert that Apple has consolidated its monopoly power not by making its own products better but by making other products worse,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference where he accused Apple of “unlawful, exclusionary conduct.” to maintain the monopoly. “If we don’t take action, Apple will only continue to expand its smartphone monopoly,” Garland added.
In a statement sent to the BBC, Apple denied the allegations. “This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that define Apple products in highly competitive markets,” the company said. “We believe this lawsuit is factually and legally wrong, and we will vigorously defend it.
Epic Games had also argued with Apple with similar allegations, involving Fortnite and a possible Epic Games Store on iOS devices, which would now be possible under newer EU regulations. After verbal low blows and a short-term suspension of the Epic Games account, calm has now returned after the EU threatened to intervene. Plans to bring the Epic Games Store as an app on smartphones are now back on track.
