US Government Shutdown Temporarily Halts Major Antitrust Cases Against Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has led to a temporary pause in several major antitrust cases, notably those involving Apple and Amazon, as courts have granted the Department of Justice's requests to halt proceedings until federal funding is restored. Apple's antitrust case, which accuses the company of maintaining a monopoly in the smartphone market, has seen discovery processes suspended, providing Apple with a brief reprieve during the shutdown. Conversely, cases against Google and Meta are continuing despite the funding lapse, as some courts have rejected government requests to pause these proceedings, highlighting judicial discretion in managing the impact of the shutdown. The pause for Apple and Amazon delays trial dates and discovery, with the ultimate effect depending on the duration of the shutdown; short delays may have minimal impact, while prolonged funding gaps could push back trials into 2027 or later. This split approach reflects differing court responses to the shutdown and underscores the significant influence of federal funding on high-profile antitrust litigation involving Big Tech. The shutdown thus temporarily benefits companies like Apple and Amazon by slowing legal scrutiny, while others like Google and Meta face ongoing judicial challenges.