A lawsuit that could change the rules of the game for all tech giants.
The US Department of Justice is in the final stages of an investigation into Apple's activities and may file an extensive antitrust lawsuit aimed at the company's strategies to maintain the dominance of the iPhone. It is expected that this may happen in the first half of this year. The investigation concerns Apple's use of its control over hardware and software to make it harder for consumers to abandon the company's devices, as well as to hinder competition from other companies.
Investigators are paying particular attention to how the Apple Watch works with the iPhone, as well as excluding competitors from the iMessage service and the iPhone payment system, which blocks similar services from other financial companies. The heads of the antimonopoly department of the Ministry of Justice are studying the results of the investigation, but the final decision on filing a claim and its content has not yet been made. Apple has not yet had a final meeting with the Justice Department, where it could present its position before filing a lawsuit.
If filed, it would be the most significant federal antitrust lawsuit against Apple, the world's most valuable technology company. Over the past five years, US regulators have filed lawsuits against four major tech companies, including Google, Amazon and Meta, accusing them of monopolistic practices.
Apple defends its business practices, arguing that they do not violate antitrust laws, and prides itself on integrating iPhone hardware and software to create a seamless user experience. However, the company is facing increasing regulatory pressure both at home and abroad, especially in Europe, where regulators are expected to force Apple to allow third-party app stores.
Apple is facing increasing regulatory pressure as its business slows. Last year, the company reported a 2.8% decline in annual revenue, to $ 383 billion. This is the first drop in the company's revenue since 2019.
The Justice Department investigation also covers other aspects of Apple's business, including blocking apps for cloud games in the App Store and restricting third-party companies ' access to iPhone geolocation services. The most recent lawsuit against Apple was filed in 2012, when the company was accused of colluding with book publishers to raise the price of digital books, resulting in a $ 450 million fine.
The US Department of Justice is in the final stages of an investigation into Apple's activities and may file an extensive antitrust lawsuit aimed at the company's strategies to maintain the dominance of the iPhone. It is expected that this may happen in the first half of this year. The investigation concerns Apple's use of its control over hardware and software to make it harder for consumers to abandon the company's devices, as well as to hinder competition from other companies.
Investigators are paying particular attention to how the Apple Watch works with the iPhone, as well as excluding competitors from the iMessage service and the iPhone payment system, which blocks similar services from other financial companies. The heads of the antimonopoly department of the Ministry of Justice are studying the results of the investigation, but the final decision on filing a claim and its content has not yet been made. Apple has not yet had a final meeting with the Justice Department, where it could present its position before filing a lawsuit.
If filed, it would be the most significant federal antitrust lawsuit against Apple, the world's most valuable technology company. Over the past five years, US regulators have filed lawsuits against four major tech companies, including Google, Amazon and Meta, accusing them of monopolistic practices.
Apple defends its business practices, arguing that they do not violate antitrust laws, and prides itself on integrating iPhone hardware and software to create a seamless user experience. However, the company is facing increasing regulatory pressure both at home and abroad, especially in Europe, where regulators are expected to force Apple to allow third-party app stores.
Apple is facing increasing regulatory pressure as its business slows. Last year, the company reported a 2.8% decline in annual revenue, to $ 383 billion. This is the first drop in the company's revenue since 2019.
The Justice Department investigation also covers other aspects of Apple's business, including blocking apps for cloud games in the App Store and restricting third-party companies ' access to iPhone geolocation services. The most recent lawsuit against Apple was filed in 2012, when the company was accused of colluding with book publishers to raise the price of digital books, resulting in a $ 450 million fine.
