Apple lawsuits overview:
- Who: Consumers, the government and state attorneys general recently filed multiple lawsuits against Apple.
- Why: The lawsuits mainly claim Apple committed monopolistic actions.
- Where: The Apple lawsuits affect consumers nationwide.
Consumers, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and 16 state attorneys general recently filed lawsuits against Apple over the company’s alleged monopolistic actions.
The lawsuits claim Apple restricts competition in the smartphone market, places limitations on competitors in the cloud storage space and maintains an illegal duopoly with Google.
Civil lawsuit claims Apple restricts smartphone competitors
The DOJ and 16 state attorneys general filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple over claims it used its monopolistic power in the smartphone market to selectively impose restrictions on its competitors and undermine their apps.
The lawsuit claims Apple imposed restrictions on competitors that damaged the operability and functionality of their apps and services while increasing Apple’s market power and obtaining more money.
“No matter how powerful, no matter how prominent, no matter how popular—no company is above the law,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco says in a statement. “Through today’s action, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to that principle.”
Consumers subsequently filed a trio of class action lawsuits against Apple, echoing the civil lawsuit’s arguments that the company violated antitrust laws by allegedly using its iPhone market power to block competitor apps.
“As Apple’s power grew, its leverage over third parties reinforced its tight control over how third parties innovate and monetize on and off the smartphone in ways that were anticompetitive and exclusionary,” states a complaint filed in New Jersey federal court in March.
Last month, a California federal judge set a trial date of February 2026 for a similar class action lawsuit originally filed against Apple in December 2011 and re-opened in August 2019 over claims its App Store policies caused iPhone users to pay more for apps.
Apple placed limitations on iCloud competitors, class action says
A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Apple in early March over claims the company placed limitations on cloud storage competitors to its iCloud service, including Microsoft and Google, effectively turning iCloud into a monopoly.
The complaint alleges Apple prevented its cloud storage competitors from saving restricted files necessary to restore a device.
“From a security and functionality standpoint, iCloud is no better (and often inferior) to other cloud storage platforms,” the class action states. “Instead, Apple has achieved market dominance by rigging the competitive playing field so that only iCloud can win.”
Class action says Apple maintained illegal duopoly with Google
A trio of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Apple earlier this year over claims the company maintains an illegal duopoly with Google in the smartphone market.
The class action lawsuit alleges Apple made deals with web browsers to prevent the entrance of third-party progressive web apps (PWAS) that don’t come through Apple’s App Store, allowing it to block competitors and charge above-market prices for its iPhone.
“Companies that have developed advanced, full-featured browser engines that could serve as cross-platform launching pads for PWAs across both major mobile ecosystems have agreed with Apple not to do so on iPhone,” the class action states.
Google benefits from Apple’s deals as it disincentivizes other potential competitors from entering the market, according to the Apple class action.
Apple won’t service Apple Watches worn by individuals with ICDs, class action claims
In a recent complaint not involving monopoly allegations, a consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Apple in February over claims the company refuses to service Apple Watches owned by individuals with an implantable cardiovascular defibrillator (ICD).
The class action lawsuit argues Apple refuses to service Apple Watches for consumers with an ICD under its AppleCare+ service, support and repair contract, allegedly justifying not doing so by claiming the implant makes the wearer an “unintended user.”
There is nothing in the AppleCare+ contract, meanwhile, that would suggest the services are not available to Apple Watch users with an ICD or defibrillator, according to the class action lawsuit.
“Apple has confirmed by subsequent letter to Plaintiff’s counsel that its refusal to repair or service Plaintiff’s Apple Watch under AppleCare+ was solely because Plaintiff has an ICD,” the class action states.
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18 thoughts onRecent Apple lawsuits focus company’s alleged monopolistic actions
You take the bad, You take the good, there you have. I’ll stick with Apple
Please add me
Please add me. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Please add me my iphone 13 is definitely defective. It’s slowing down shoot last week alone and went to SOS for four days and then all of a sudden just came back and that’s just one scenario.
Add me
Please add me I have be using Apple iPhone for years and have everything on the iCloud and not to mention I have been grandfathered in,
to pay 99 cents a month for my pictures etc
I have an iPhone 13 Pro and apple keeps demanding that I buy more storage and hasn’t backed up my storage for months. It slows down my performance and the apps are expensive. I have a Samsung S23 Ultra and unlimited storage, free apps & free music downloads
Yes because when I didn’t upgrade my 6 plus to the next new phone it slowed down and the same thing happened with my 7 plus it had also slowed down when I didn’t get the new phone me thinking the update was gonna do it and it did nothing so I ended up getting the 13 pro max when it came out but I feel like they are still doing the same thing because my 13 pro max has slowed down as well, they also force me to get a whole new line on my Apple Watch when you can just connect the Apple Watch to your cell phone.