The U.S. Department of Justice appears poised to pursue a case against Apple, alleging selective restriction of access to certain iPhone functions. This development has been reported by Bloomberg, which cites unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
According to Bloomberg’s briefing, the DOJ contends that limiting competitors from reaching the iPhone’s hardware and software capabilities could violate antitrust laws by creating barriers to entry. The sources suggest that a formal filing could happen in court as soon as March 23, potentially marking the third antitrust lawsuit directed at Apple in recent years.
In a broader antitrust context, the DOJ previously filed actions targeting Google, while the Federal Trade Commission has pursued cases against Amazon and Meta. These moves align with a broader policy push under President Joe Biden aimed at curbing the consolidation of power in the digital technology market and promoting competitive practices across major platforms.
All of this unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing legal debates around Apple and its ecosystem. The narrative also touches on a separate class-action dispute involving iPhone owners in the United Kingdom, which highlights the global sensitivity around device restrictions and consumer rights in tech ecosystems.
Earlier assessments by experts have challenged the notion that iPhones are impervious to hacking or exploitation, underscoring that no platform is entirely immune to security vulnerabilities. The evolving regulatory scrutiny and the rapid pace of technological change continue to shape how manufacturers, regulators, and consumers view device access, platform openness, and the balance between security, innovation, and competition (Bloomberg).”