The United States Justice Department is suing Apple for alleged monopolisation of the smartphone market.
The department, joined by 16 other state and district attorneys general, has filed a civil anti-trust lawsuit against the tech giant alleging violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
The complaint, filed in the US 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.
It alleges 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.
It alleges Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses and merchants, among others.
“When corporations engage in anti-competitive conduct, the American people and our economy suffer,” Acting Associate Attorney-General Benjamin Mizer said.
“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.”
The plaintiffs seek relief to restore competition to the markets on behalf of the American public.
In the 2023 financial year, Apple generated annual net revenues of $583 billion and net income of $148 billion.
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