US Judge Denies Apple Motion Dismiss DOJ iPhone Monopoly Suit

A federal judge denied Apple's motion to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit accusing the company of unlawfully monopolizing the U.S. smartphone market by restricting third-party app developers and device makers, thus limiting competition. The lawsuit, filed in March 2024 and supported by 16 state attorneys general and Washington, D.C., alleges Apple uses its control over the iPhone ecosystem to impose technical barriers and fees that inhibit rivals offering smart watches, digital wallets, messaging services, and other competing products. Apple contends these restrictions are necessary for user security and platform integrity and argues that being forced to share technology with competitors would hinder innovation. The ruling allows a potentially years-long legal battle to proceed, marking a significant victory for the Biden administration's aggressive antitrust agenda aimed at curbing Big Tech dominance. This case is part of a broader government push involving other major tech companies, including Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet, facing similar antitrust scrutiny. The lawsuit challenges Apple's longstanding ecosystem control, which the government claims stifles innovation and harms consumer choice.