The Apple antitrust case will officially move to trial after a judge denied Apple’s request to dismiss it. U.S. District Judge Julien Neals recently ruled that the lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) can proceed. This development means Apple must now defend its business practices in court.
The DOJ filed the lawsuit in 2024 following years of complaints from companies like Spotify. Officials argue that Apple blocks competition by tightly controlling its ecosystem. They claim this hurts both developers and users.
Apple previously argued that the allegations were vague and legally flawed. However, the judge disagreed, stating the case deserves a full hearing. As a result, the trial could impact services like the App Store, Messages, Apple Pay, and Apple Watch.
The DOJ focuses on how Apple’s control affects competition. One issue involves Apple Messages, which previously excluded RCS support. Apple will support RCS in iOS 18.2 and allow users to choose a default messaging app. Still, regulators argue these changes came too late.
Payment systems are also under review. Apple now lets apps like Square use NFC features for tap-to-pay. Yet, the Apple antitrust case may push the company to allow default payment app choices, just like in the EU. Smartwatch makers have voiced concerns, too. While some third-party watches connect to iPhones, developers say Apple Watch integration offers unfair advantages.
The lawsuit also questions Apple’s limits on “super apps.” These are apps that combine messaging, banking, and other features. The DOJ says Apple’s policies stop such apps from reaching U.S. users, even though China allows them.
An Apple spokesperson said the company will fight the Apple antitrust case in court. They believe the lawsuit misunderstands both facts and laws. The DOJ declined to comment. Legal experts say this battle could last for years due to appeals. With regulators taking a tougher stance, Apple’s business model will remain under heavy scrutiny.
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