Attorney General Garland Delivers Remarks on Lawsuit Against Apple for Monopolizing App Store

Department of Justice Files Antitrust Suit Against Apple

Landmark Case Alleges Apple Has Monopoly Power in App Store

In a landmark antitrust action, the Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general have filed a civil lawsuit against Apple Inc. The suit alleges that Apple has monopolized the market for distributing apps on its mobile devices, stifling competition and harming consumers. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the lawsuit at a press conference on Thursday, stating that Apple's "anti-competitive conduct" has resulted in "higher prices, less innovation, and fewer choices for consumers." The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Jersey, alleges that Apple has used its control over the App Store to create a monopoly that allows it to set high prices for apps, restrict competition from other app developers, and block rival app stores from operating on its devices. Garland emphasized that the lawsuit is "not about stopping Apple from succeeding." Rather, he said, it is about "ensuring that Apple's success is not built on anti-competitive conduct that harms consumers." The suit is a major setback for Apple, which has long maintained that its App Store policies are necessary to protect consumers and ensure the quality of apps on its devices. The company has said it will "vigorously defend" itself against the allegations. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the digital economy. If the government is successful in its case, it could force Apple to change its App Store policies and potentially break up its monopoly in the mobile app market.