On March 26th, news broke that on March 20th, the U.S. Department of Justice, along with attorneys general from 16 states and regions, collectively filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc.
Following the Department of Justice's lawsuit, at least three class action lawsuits are underway in California and New Jersey, representing millions of consumers. The plaintiffs accuse Apple of intentionally inflating product prices through anti-competitive practices.
The plaintiffs argue that Apple's actions violate antitrust laws and stifle technological advancement. They suggest that if Apple were to make features like iMessage and Wallet more open, it could enhance competition in the smartphone market.
Attorney General Merrick Garland of the United States stated in a declaration, "Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate antitrust laws."
Steve Berman, one of the lead attorneys in a class-action lawsuit, commented, "Fully endorse the actions of the U.S. Department of Justice." Previously, the firm had sued Apple over anti-competitive practices in the realm of digital wallets and reached a settlement with Apple regarding the App Store policies and e-book pricing.
