According to a report from Bloomberg News, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to file a lawsuit against Apple, possibly as soon as Thursday, alleging violations of antitrust laws. The lawsuit alleges that Apple has unlawfully restricted rivals from accessing both hardware and software features of the iPhone.
This potential legal action against Apple underscores bipartisan concerns regarding the dominance of Big Tech firms. Previous administrations, including the Trump administration, had initiated probes into several tech giants, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
While the specific focus of the charges remains unclear, complaints from hardware device manufacturers, such as Tile, have highlighted Apple’s restrictions on accessing iPhone sensors. These restrictions allegedly hinder competition by limiting the functionality of competing products.
Apple’s introduction of AirTags, a product similar to Tile’s offerings, has drawn scrutiny, as Tile had been operating in the market for several years prior. Additionally, Apple’s control over the iPhone’s contactless payment chip has been a point of contention, as third-party credit card services are only accessible through Apple Pay.
Apple has defended its restrictions on third-party access to user data and hardware components, citing privacy and security concerns as the primary reasons. However, critics argue that these measures stifle competition and innovation in the tech industry.
In addition to hardware restrictions, Apple has faced criticism for its messaging service, iMessage, which is exclusive to Apple devices. Critics argue that iMessage disadvantages Android users by reducing the quality of multimedia content sent between platforms. Apple recently announced plans to support RCS, a messaging technology promoted by Google, to address these concerns.
This potential antitrust lawsuit against Apple would mark the third such case by the Justice Department in the past 14 years. Unlike previous cases, which focused on different aspects of Apple’s business practices, this lawsuit targets the alleged maintenance of Apple’s dominant market position through anticompetitive means.
Apple is currently engaged in another antitrust-related dispute with Epic Games, the developer of “Fortnite.” Moreover, other tech giants, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Elon Musk’s X, have joined Epic Games’ protest against Apple’s App Store policies, alleging non-compliance with a court-ordered injunction.
The DOJ’s previous antitrust actions against Google and Facebook highlight ongoing efforts to address anticompetitive behavior in the tech industry, signaling continued scrutiny of Big Tech firms under the Biden administration.
