Four More States Join Justice Department Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple

June 12 (UPI) — Four more states have joined the Justice Department’s civil antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple of monopolizing many smartphone markets.

The Biden administration originally filed its lawsuit against the US tech giant in March, involving 15 states and the District of Columbia. On Tuesday, the states of Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington joined the lawsuit, bringing the number of plaintiffs to 20.

“We look forward to litigating this important case with our state partners to ensure the benefits of competition to consumers, app developers, accessory makers, and the American public,” Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Department’s Antitrust Division said in a statement Tuesday Justice.

The lawsuit accuses Apple of maintaining a monopoly in the smartphone market, which allows it to extort more money from customers and game developers.

As part of the alleged program, Apple is weakening competitors’ smartphone apps, products and services so that users will be less dependent on the iPhone.

Prosecutors say the alleged anti-competitive practices are aimed at Apple maintaining its position in the market at the expense of innovation and lower costs.

“An open market encourages competition and creativity,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement.

“Apple’s smartphone monopoly generates profits at the expense of users, developers and companies. Ending illegal monopolization of smartphones will level the playing field for everyone.”

In an amended complaint filed Tuesday, the Justice Department said Apple’s alleged anticompetitive conduct is not limited to smartphones but is felt across other industries, from financial services to fitness, gaming and social media.

“If we do not end Apple’s anti-competitive and exclusionary conduct, we will likely expand and deepen our iPhone monopoly into other markets and economic areas,” the statement said.