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:
Related suggestion:
The UK pledges $620 million in new military aid for UkraineJudge OKs phone surveys of jury pool for man charged in 4 University of Idaho student deathsMel B details her fiveTom Holland confirms he is definitely returning for a fourth SpiderElection 2024: Republican candidates vying for Indiana governor to take debate stageTennis power couple Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur look lovedBeyoncé wows her fans while offering a rare glimpse at her stunning natural hairI'm a female joiner and applied for a job at building firm... but what they said made my blood boilKevin Costner's exVictoria Beckham arrives at her 50th birthday party at a swanky private members club on crutches
3.5685s , 6497.515625 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by U.S. Justice Department sues Apple for alleged monopoly in smartphone markets ,Global Grandstand news portal