Attorney General Bonta Blocks Apple’s Attempt to Avoid Answering for Anticompetitive Conduct

Apple builds its iPhone empire by making it harder for its users to leave, rather than by making it more attractive for them to stay

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 20 attorneys general, successfully blocked an attempt by Apple to dismiss the coalition’s lawsuit against the company’s anticompetitive behavior related to iPhone smartphones. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the lawsuit alleges Apple purposefully makes it difficult for non-Apple apps and products to operate with the iPhone, resulting in higher prices for consumers and harm to competition in the smartphone industry. Apple’s conduct has hampered innovation, limited consumer choice, and made switching to other smartphones unnecessarily difficult and expensive for consumers.

“Apple is dominating the market because it has created a monopoly that insulates itself from competitors and makes it hard for consumers to leave — not because it is competing on the merits. These actions are anticompetitive and illegal,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I am proud of my office’s work with state and federal partners to hold Big Tech accountable for their harm to consumers and to promote vital innovation and competition.”

ANTITRUST AND YOU:

Antitrust enforcement is an essential component of a healthy economy. Competitive marketplaces established through antitrust vigilance help consumers by ensuring fair prices for goods and services, an array of products to choose from, quality goods and services, and the steady introduction of innovative new products. As part of the Attorney General’s commitment to enforce antitrust laws, the California Department of Justice has just launched its new Antitrust Complaint Form! Please click here to report anticompetitive conduct that potentially violates the antitrust laws.

A copy of the opinion is available here.