Apple is the target of a historic lawsuit brought by the US, which claims the tech giant is monopolizing the smartphone market and stifling competition.
The Justice Department claims in the lawsuit that Apple Inc. exploited its dominance over the iPhone app store to “lock in” developers and users. It charges the company with using unlawful measures to prevent apps deemed dangerous from detracting from competing goods.
Apple disputes the allegations and has promised to “vigorously” combat the lawsuit.
The extensive lawsuit, which was submitted to a federal court in New Jersey alongside the attorneys general of sixteen states, is one of Apple’s largest legal challenges to date. In recent years, the company has been fending off growing accusations against its business methods.
It claims that in an effort to increase its own profits at the expense of users and stifle innovation, Apple implemented “a series of shapeshifting rules” and restricted access to its hardware and software.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated at a press conference announcing the lawsuit, “Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits but by violating federal anti-trust law.” “Customers should not have to pay higher prices because companies break the law.”
