The United States Government has filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing it of having created a monopoly in the mobile phone market with its iPhone. The technology giant, however, rejects the accusations launched by the Joe Biden Administration and denies having engaged in this type of practice.
In a statement signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, it is explained that if large companies are not prevented from “violating antitrust laws” and raising prices for consumers, “Apple will continue to strengthen its monopoly on smartphones.”
The telephone giant based in Cupertino (California) has responded to the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New Jersey, with a statement in which it denies the accusations of the Government, which it claims has overstepped its bounds with this first major antitrust effort. . of the Executive.”
This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that differentiate Apple products in intensely competitive markets,” Apple defended itself, assuring that if the lawsuit is successful it will set a “dangerous precedent” giving the Government power to intervene in the design of technology.
Technology restriction and development blocking.
The lawsuit, filed by the Department of Justice and 16 state attorneys general, accuses Apple of having restricted access to the technology it uses for iPhones in ways that increase costs for consumers and deter potential rivals. . launch other smartphones on the market.
The US Department of Justice has stated that Apple has used its control over the iPhone to “engage in a type of illegal conduct, on a broad and sustained basis.” Among other things, the lawsuit alleges that Apple is preventing the successful development of so-called “super apps” that would allow consumers to more easily switch smartphones.
Apple is also accused of blocking the development of streaming apps that would allow users to enjoy high-quality video without having to pay for more cloud space or hardware so the phone can support it. . .
The case specifically targets the digital fortress that Apple has created not only with the iPhone, but also with other products such as the iPad, Mac and Apple Watch so that consumers have to rely on those devices and cannot combine them with other products from other companies. . .
US antitrust effort
With this lawsuit, Apple joins the list of technology giants against which the Biden Government has launched an offensive. The Justice Department has already sued Google to monopolize digital advertising services, and the Federal Trade Commission has a pending antitrust case against Facebook parent Meta and another against Amazon.
Apple is one of the most powerful companies in the world with annual revenues of almost $400 billion and, until recently, a market value of more than $3 trillion.
