Apple Inc. Facing Antitrust Lawsuit from Justice Department
The Justice Department is set to file a lawsuit against Apple Inc. on Thursday, alleging that the tech giant violated antitrust laws by restricting rivals from accessing hardware and software features of its iPhone. This legal action marks the latest in the Biden administration’s crackdown on major U.S. technology companies, with Alphabet Inc.’s Google already facing a monopolization lawsuit and the Federal Trade Commission pursuing cases against Meta Platforms Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.
This upcoming lawsuit against Apple will be the third time in 14 years that the company has faced antitrust allegations from the Justice Department, but it is the first accusing the iPhone maker of illegally maintaining its dominant position in the market. In addition to this legal battle in the U.S., Apple is also facing increased scrutiny in Europe for alleged anticompetitive behavior, including a recent €1.8 billion fine for hindering music streaming rivals from offering cheaper deals.
Furthermore, Apple may soon be subject to a full investigation under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to regulate Big Tech companies and prevent anticompetitive practices. With potential penalties of up to 10% of a company’s annual worldwide revenue, Apple is facing mounting legal challenges on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Justice Department initiated this latest case in 2019 under former President Donald Trump, but it gained momentum as Epic Games Inc. sued Apple for monopolization in 2020. As the legal battle between Apple and the Justice Department unfolds, the tech industry and consumers alike will be closely watching the outcome of this antitrust lawsuit.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the legal battle between Apple Inc. and the Justice Department unfolds.
Source link
