US Govt Sues Apple For Imposing iPhone Monopoly: 4 Charges You Should Know


Mohul Ghosh

Mohul Ghosh

Mar 22, 2024


In a move that signals a significant challenge to Apple’s dominance, the US Justice Department, along with 16 states and the District of Columbia, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant. At the heart of the lawsuit is Apple’s flagship product, the iPhone, and the practices the company has employed to maintain its stronghold in the market.

US Govt Sues Apple For Imposing iPhone Monopoly: 4 Charges You Should Know

1. Maintaining iPhone Reliance

The lawsuit alleges that Apple has violated antitrust laws by implementing practices designed to keep customers reliant on their iPhones. These practices include restricting other companies from offering apps that could compete with Apple’s own products, such as its digital wallet. By limiting competition, Apple aims to ensure that consumers remain tied to its ecosystem, stifling innovation and potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.

2. Messaging Divide

One of the accusations leveled against Apple is its role in undermining the ability of iPhone users to message with owners of other smartphones, particularly those running on the Android operating system. The lawsuit points to the visual distinction made by Apple’s iMessage, which uses blue bubbles for iPhone-to-iPhone communication and green bubbles for messages to Android users. This messaging divide, according to the government, perpetuates the perception that non-iPhone smartphones are of lower quality.

3. Restricted Compatibility

Apple’s restrictive policies extend beyond messaging to device compatibility. The government argues that Apple has made it challenging for iPhone users to integrate their devices with smartwatches from other manufacturers, effectively creating a barrier to switching away from the iPhone. Additionally, the lawsuit highlights Apple’s refusal to allow other digital wallets to access the Near Field Communication (NFC) chip in iPhones, limiting tap-to-pay functionality to Apple Wallet.

4. Monopolizing Digital Wallets

Another charge against Apple is its control over digital wallets on iPhones. While Apple Wallet is the only app allowed to utilize the NFC chip for tap-to-pay transactions, the company prevents other companies from developing their own digital wallet solutions. This monopolistic behavior restricts consumer choice and innovation in the digital payment space.

Conclusion:

The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle over antitrust practices in the tech industry. If successful, it could have far-reaching implications for Apple’s business model and the broader smartphone ecosystem. As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the outcome and its potential impact on competition and consumer choice in the digital marketplace.


Mohul Ghosh
Mohul Ghosh
  • 1521 Posts

Subscribe Now!

Get latest news and views related to startups, tech and business

You Might Also Like

Technology
Sep. 8, 2022

Samsung Launches The Wall All-In-One and Flip Pro: Is This The Future Of Display Technology?

Samsung has launched The Wall All-In-One – the modular MicroLED it says is revolutionizing the future of display and the Flip Pro, which is an interactive display. Both were unveiled at the InfoComm India 2022 which is India’s Professional AudioVisual (Pro AV) and Systems Integration Technology Exhibition. This took place in Mumbai from September 5-7. […]

Technology
Jul. 28, 2022

Google Street View Launches In India Across These 10 Indians Cities! Plans To Expand To 700,000 Kms, 50 Cities In 2 Years

Google’s Street View is finally available in India a decade after it was prevented from capturing data for its Street View services. Second coming Street view offers a 360-degree interactive panorama feature initially for 10 Indian cities with data from local partners Tech Mahindra and Mumbai-based Genesis International. Its entry into India is facilitated by […]

Technology
Jul. 10, 2022

This Electricity-Free Cooler Developed By IIT Researchers Can Replace Air Conditioners! How It Work?

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have built a ‘Radiative Cooler’ which does not require electricity to operate. This is an affordable and efficient ‘passive’ radiative cooling system that can serve as an alternative to ACs. The coating material is an electricity-free cooling system that can be applied in the rooftops and functions during both […]

Technology
Jun. 27, 2022

This New Battery Will Enable Electric Cars To Run 1000 Kms In Single Charge! Will This Transform Electric Mobility?

Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has developed a battery that gives EVs a driving range of over 1,000 km or 621 miles on a single charge. About the company The company is China’s leading automotive lithium-ion battery maker. Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW, and Nio are among the companies for which CATL supplies batteries. […]

Recent Posts

Related Videos

   

Subscribe Now!

Get latest news and views related to startups, tech and business

who's online