The DOJ alleges that Apple has unfairly restricted developers of apps, products, and services utilized on the iPhone. And the company monopolizes the market and inflates costs for consumers.
The suit, filed in New Jersey, claims that Apple’s actions enable the company to extract excessive fees from consumers, developers, publishers, and merchants alike.
Monopoly Tactics
This legal action follows heightened scrutiny faced by both Apple and Google regarding the commissions charged on in-app purchases.
Last year, Epic Games initiated a lawsuit against Apple, alleging unreasonable constraints on in-app payments.
A federal judge’s ruling in 2021 compelled Apple to permit developers to use payment options beyond its app store, challenging the company’s longstanding 30% commission on app transactions.
The lawsuit against Apple presents several specific allegations, including the obstruction of innovative super apps, suppression of mobile cloud streaming services, and exclusion of cross-platform messaging apps.
