On Thursday, the US government filed an expansive antitrust case against Apple, alleging the tech giant’s illegal prevention of competition through restrictive access to its software and hardware. The lawsuit directly challenges Apple’s core products and practices, including iMessage and inter-device connectivity.
Filed in federal court in New Jersey, the complaint asserts Apple’s monopoly power in the smartphone market and accuses the company of engaging in unlawful conduct to maintain dominance. At the heart of the case is Apple’s alleged anticompetitive behavior in blocking rivals from accessing proprietary features like iMessage and Siri, as well as limiting integration with non-Apple products, thereby stifling innovation and creating unfair market advantages.
The Department of Justice’s complaint outlines various anticompetitive actions by Apple, including blocking innovative apps, restricting functionality of non-Apple smart watches, and suppressing cross-platform messaging, leading to higher consumer prices. Of particular concern is Apple’s handling of Beeper, a messaging startup attempting to enable iMessage access for non-iPhone users, which resulted in a dispute ultimately culminating in Apple blocking outside access to its iMessage capabilities citing privacy and security concerns.
