California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 20 attorneys general, has successfully blocked Apple’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging anticompetitive practices related to its iPhone smartphones. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, claims that Apple deliberately makes it difficult for non-Apple apps and products to function with the iPhone. This conduct is said to result in higher prices for consumers and harm competition within the smartphone industry.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “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.” He expressed pride in his office’s work with state and federal partners to hold Big Tech accountable and promote innovation and competition.
The enforcement of antitrust laws is emphasized as crucial for maintaining a healthy economy. Competitive marketplaces ensure fair pricing, product variety, quality goods and services, and continuous innovation. As part of this commitment, the California Department of Justice has launched a new Antitrust Complaint Form for reporting potentially anticompetitive conduct.
A copy of the court opinion regarding this case is available online.
