BY ULKU SIMSEK, JERRY REYNOSO, ASH HALLAS
Apple is being sued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly monopolizing the smartphone market.
On March 21, the DOJ issued an antitrust lawsuit against Apple with speculation of becoming an illegal monopoly. This is based on how Apple products interact with other merchandise that are not sold by Apple.
WATCH: The 5 major issues DOJ brings up in the new lawsuit.
Apple is known for its iMessage and how iPhone users receive blue text bubbles when they message each other. However, when an iPhone user messages someone who owns a different product, like an Android, the text bubbles turn green. The DOJ said that this tactic is just one of the ways that Apple subconsciously teaches their consumers that anyone who does not own Apple products are below Apple users.
READ THE FULL 88-PAGE LAWSUIT.
We read the full 88-page lawsuit so you don’t have to. Here are some of the highlights:
Alongside Apple’s messaging modifications, the DOJ is also accusing Apple of purposefully making the photos and videos sent from Android to iPhone blurrier on purpose to make it seem that Android is a worse product.
Apple is known for its protectiveness over the upgrades it creates for iPhones.
The lawsuit takes direct aim at the iPhone and attacks the way Apple has turned the billions of smartphones it has sold since 2007 into the centerpiece of its empire.
Apple and Samsung have had many lawsuits in the past regarding similarities between their variations of phone apps, packing, etc. Apple’s quick defense to sue a company that shows similarity to their products could be seen as protectiveness, but also as a way to eliminate possible competition. This argument is another reason why the DOJ is speculating on Apple’s actions as a way to monopolize itself.
But what are the outcomes the DOJ wants to see from Apple? According to CNN, the DOJ wants to block the restrictions and difficulties Apple has made for their consumers when they interact with other company devices. This would include Apple’s messaging apps, digital wallets, etc.
In a press release issued by the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Justice on Thurs. March 21, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division said, “For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of “Whac-A-Mole” contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies.”
Despite the lawsuit, Apple refuses any accusations of becoming a monopoly.
Apple said in a statement that the Department of Justice lawsuit “threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets.”
Sumit Sharma, Consumer Reports senior researcher, told AP News that Apple claims that the division between Apple and other products is to better ensure user safety and privacy.
In a statement provided to CNN, Apple said, “We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it.”
The case is still in the early stages, but this case will be long and the outcome has the potential to shape how the majority of Americans can interact with their Apple products and give a limit to how much Apple can divide itself from other technology competitors.
