Department of Justice 16 AG companies are suing Apple for monopolizing the smartphone market

March 21 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday that it and 16 other state and district attorneys general had filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for violating the Sherman Act in connection with its monopolization of the smartphone market.

The department filed a lawsuit in a New Jersey district court accusing Apple of illegally maintaining a smartphone monopoly through illegal contractual restrictions, limiting access to and weakening applications, products and services that would make others less dependent on iPhones.

The Justice Department found that Apple was able to extort more money from customers and developers because of its monopoly.

“Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate antitrust laws,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “We alleged that Apple maintained its monopoly position in the smartphone market not only by outperforming its competitors on merits, but also by violating federal antitrust law.”

Garland stated that without law enforcement intervention, Apple’s monopoly will only grow and stifle future developers while limiting options for consumers.

“The Department of Justice will aggressively enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices,” Garland said. “This is the legal obligation of the Department of Justice and what the American people expect and deserve.”

Garland and other plaintiffs accused Apple of blocking innovative super apps that make it easier to switch platforms, blocking mobile cloud streaming, excluding cross-platform messaging apps, reducing the functionality of third-party smartwatches and limiting third-party digital wallets.

“When corporations engage in anticompetitive behavior, the American people and our economy suffer,” Acting Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Mizer said in a statement. “Today’s action against Apple sends a strong message to those who want to eliminate competition and stifle innovation.”

Kris Mayes, Arizona’s attorney general, was among the state officials who joined the Justice Department in its lawsuit against Apple.

“No company, even one as large as Apple, is above the law,” Mayes said in a statement. “Apple’s anti-competitive conduct violated antitrust law and harmed consumers. Holding Apple accountable is critical to ensuring a competitive marketplace where innovation can flourish and consumers can access a wide range of products and services at affordable prices.”