Arizona AG joins Justice Department, 15 other AGs in suing Apple for monopoly

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, joining the U.S. Justice Department and 15 other state and district attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act, the AG announced in a press release. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Apple illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones by selectively imposing contractual restrictions on and withholding critical access points from developers. Apple undermines apps, products, and services that would otherwise make users less reliant on the iPhone, promote interoperability, and lower costs for consumers and developers. “Apple has used its monopoly power to block competition, stifle innovation, and extract higher prices from consumers. No company, even one as big as Apple, is above the law. Apple’s anticompetitive behavior has violated antitrust law and harmed consumers. Holding Apple accountable is critical to ensuring a competitive market where innovation can flourish and consumers can access a wide range of affordable products and services. Fair competition protects consumer choice and encourages innovation, leading to better products and services for everyone,” said Attorney General Mayes.