Apple’s share of the entire US smartphone market exceeds 65 percent: Attorney Merrick

Apple has been accused of preventing development of cloud streaming apps

This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart: Apple

The Government of the United States of America (USA) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc over an alleged illegal monopoly in the smartphone market through restriction to its hardware and software. “Apple’s share of the entire US smartphone market exceeds 65 percent. We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices,”  Attorney General Merrick Garland stated in a press conference. 

Apple has been accused of preventing development of applications that can be used across smartphones and cloud streaming apps as well. Apple has however come out strongly against the lawsuit. “This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets. If successful, it would hinder our ability to create the kind of technology people expect from Apple—where hardware, software, and services intersect. It would also set a dangerous precedent, empowering the government to take a heavy hand in designing people’s technology. We believe this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it,” Apple’s statement mentioned.