U.S. Justice Department sues Apple for alleged monopoly in smartphone markets
WASHINGTON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Justice Department, along with 16 other state and district attorneys general, on Thursday filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of illegally maintaining a monopoly over smartphones.
"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," Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference in Washington, D.C.
"We allege that Apple has employed a strategy that relies on exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct that hurts both consumers and developers," said Garland. "Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies break the law."
The attorney general said Apple carries out its exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct in two principal ways: First, Apple imposes contractual restrictions and fees that limit the features and functionality that developers can offer iPhone users.
Second, Apple selectively restricts access to the points of connection between third-party apps and the iPhone's operating system, degrading the functionality of non-Apple apps and accessories.
Additionally, iPhone users perceive rival smartphones as being lower quality because the experience of messaging friends and family who do not own iPhones is worse -- "even though Apple is the one responsible for breaking cross-platform messaging," he said.
Apple has justified its practice of regulating downloads through the App Store, arguing that it is essential for maintaining the iPhone's security by minimizing the risk of viruses and fraudulent activities.
Tech giants have been facing growing scrutiny in recent years. After a 16-month investigation into Apple, Amazon, Facebook (now Meta) and Google, the antitrust subcommittee under the House Judiciary Committee released a report in October 2020, arguing that the four Big Tech companies enjoy monopoly power and need more government regulation.
The lawsuit against Apple marks the latest action taken by U.S. antitrust authorities against the "Big Four". Antitrust regulators have also filed antimonopoly lawsuits against the other three.
(Editor:Fu Bo)
Related articles
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil coach Dorival Júnior has replaced injured goalkeeper Ederson with Sao P2024-05-21Boeing violated deal that avoided prosecution after 737 Max crashes, DOJ says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosec2024-05-21Sony Group, The Container Store rise; Alibaba, Smart Sand fall, Tuesday, 5/14/2024
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes on Tuesday:The Container2024-05-21What to stream: New Billie Eilish and Zayn Malik albums, 'Bridgerton'
Billie Eilish’s third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” and the return of “Bridgerton” are some o2024-05-21French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
PARIS (AP) — France’s sports minister has called for soccer club Monaco to be sanctioned after one o2024-05-21Jason Aldean will honor Toby Keith with a performance at the 2024 ACM Awards
The time has come to raise a red solo cup. Jason Aldean will pay tribute to the late Toby Keith at t2024-05-21
atest comment