Following the U.S. Department of Justice's (DoJ) comprehensive antitrust lawsuit against Apple, a flurry of class-action suits have emerged, with consumers accusing Apple of monopolizing the smartphone market. These legal actions, initiated in the wake of the DoJ's filing after a five-year investigation into Apple's business conduct, are targeting the tech giant for its alleged anti-competitive practices.
Filed in both California and New Jersey, at least three class-action lawsuits have surfaced, according to Reuters. These legal claims argue that Apple's practices have violated antitrust laws, leading to increased costs for consumers by stifling competition in various areas, including messaging apps and digital wallets.
The plaintiffs contend that Apple's suppression of competitive technologies in these domains has not only hindered market competition but has also resulted in inflated prices for products and services. Apple has yet to issue a comment in response to these allegations.
Among the law firms spearheading these new legal challenges is Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, which has previously engaged Apple in litigation over similar anti-competitive concerns, including disputes over mobile wallet functionalities and App Store policies. The firm has expressed its approval of the DoJ's stance, which aligns with its own legal arguments against Apple.
These latest lawsuits join a series of legal battles that Apple is facing regarding its alleged anti-competitive behaviors, including a previous lawsuit that was recently granted class-action status, accusing Apple of maintaining high prices through its App Store monopoly.
