DOJ close to filing massive antitrust suit against Apple over iPhone dominance: report
NY Post
The Justice Department is reportedly in the “late stages” of filing a massive antitrust lawsuit against Apple – the latest sign of mounting regulatory pressure that has roiled the iPhone maker.
The DOJ could file a lawsuit against Apple within the first six months of this year, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The feds are investigating whether Apple has leveraged its various hardware and software products to ensure the iPhone has a dominant hold on the smartphone market.
The probe is said to be focused on several specific elements of the Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s business — including whether the Apple Watch performs better when linked to the iPhone versus rival smartphones, whether Apple is improperly limiting competition for its iMessage text service.
Antitrust cops are also exploring Apple’s payments system for the iPhone and whether the company unfairly stifles rival services offered by competitors, the report said.
Apple shares were flat in Friday afternoon trading after news of the potential lawsuit surfaced – but the company’s stock has sunk more than 6% this week after a pair of firms downgraded its rating over concerns about sagging iPhone sales demand.
