Apple Sued for Antitrust Violations

Justice Department and States Allege Illegal Monopoly

Millions of iPhone Users To Receive Payouts

The US Justice Department and more than a dozen states filed a blockbuster antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, accusing the giant company of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, DC, alleges that Apple has used its dominant market position to stifle competition and harm consumers.

The government's complaint focuses on three main areas:

• Apple's control over the App Store
• The company's restrictions on third-party apps
• Apple's anti-steering provisions

The government alleges that Apple's control over the App Store has allowed it to charge excessive fees to developers and to block competing apps from entering the market.

The lawsuit also alleges that Apple's restrictions on third-party apps have made it difficult for developers to compete with Apple's own apps.

Additionally, the government alleges that Apple's anti-steering provisions have prevented developers from directing users to cheaper ways to purchase apps or subscriptions outside of the App Store.

The lawsuit seeks a number of remedies, including:

• An injunction preventing Apple from continuing its anti-competitive practices
• Divestiture of Apple's App Store
• Damages to consumers

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of antitrust actions against Big Tech companies.

In recent years, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have filed lawsuits against Google, Amazon, and Facebook, alleging that these companies have violated antitrust laws.

The lawsuit against Apple is likely to have a significant impact on the company and the tech industry as a whole.

If the government is successful in its case, Apple could be forced to change its business practices and could face billions of dollars in damages.

Settlement Reached in iPhone Audio Issues Class Action

In other Apple news, the company has reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit over audio issues with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

The lawsuit, which was filed in 2018, alleged that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus had a design defect that caused the audio to cut out during calls.

Under the terms of the settlement, Apple will pay between $310 million and $500 million to up to roughly 3 million users of the affected iPhones.

To be eligible for a payment, users must have purchased their iPhone 7 or 7 Plus before January 1, 2018 and must have experienced the audio issues described in the lawsuit.

Users can submit a claim for payment by visiting the settlement website at www.iphoneaudiosettlement.com.

The claims process will open on March 10, 2023, and will remain open for 90 days.