In the first half of this year, the Justice Department could file an antitrust action against Apple for using its control over iPhone hardware and software to make it harder for consumers to stop using Apple devices and make it more difficult for competing manufacturers to compete with Apple. , and allow the iPhone to continue to dominate the high-end phone market. Those who spoke with
The New York Times did so anonymously as the investigation is still ongoing.
Some of the things the DOJ is investigating include how the Apple Watch works better with the
iPhone than other brands, and how competitors are being locked out of the iMessage messaging platform. Additionally, investigators are examining how Apple's mobile payment system prevents other financial companies from competing with Apple in this area. Apple has reportedly met with the DOJ several times to discuss the investigation and no final decision has been made by regulators regarding filing a complaint.
If Apple is sued by the DOJ, it will join
Google, which is fighting the Justice Department in two antitrust cases related to its search and advertising businesses. Amazon and Meta are being sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for trying to stop competition.
The US Department of Justice may soon file an antitrust complaint against Apple
Apple faces the possibility of a larger legal challenge over its business plan as competitors complain they cannot access the Siri digital assistant. Apple's competitors say their inability to access Siri is a sign that Apple's business strategies are anti-competitive. Apple has said its business practices do not violate antitrust law. The tech giant said its “approach has always been to grow the pie” and “create more opportunities not only for our business, but also for artists, creators, entrepreneurs and all the crazy people out there.” » having a big idea.
The comment references Apple's iconic commercial called “The Crazy Ones” which featured “misfits and troublemakers” like Muhammad Ali, John Lennon (and Yoko Ono), Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, Jim Henson and Pablo Picasso. the ad says: “Here come the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in square holes… the ones who see things differently – they don't like rules…”
And the last line, which never fails to bring many viewers to tears, says: “And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are those who do it.”
But we are moving away. In 2020, while testifying before a congressional antitrust committee, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “Apple does not have a dominant market share in the markets in which we operate.” This isn't just true for the iPhone; this is true for any product category. “
As the DOJ steps up its investigation into Apple, the company's business is in decline. In the last fiscal year, the company reported revenue of $383 billion, an annual decline of 2.8% and its first decline in a fiscal year since 2019. While iPhone sales , iPads and Macs have declined, as we recently told you, the iPhone has always led the way. last year among high-end phones priced $600 and above, with global market share reaching 71% of these phones.
