Wisconsin joins landmark monopoly lawsuit against Apple

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) --- Wisconsin has joined a sweeping lawsuit against Apple claiming the iPhone maker has a "monopoly" over the cell phone market.

The state joined the U.S. Department of Justice and 15 other states in filing a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple accusing the tech giant of trying to edge out the competition to ensure customers continue to use their products.

The 88-page lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey alleges Apple illegally engaged in anti-competitive behavior in an effort to build a "smartphone monopoly" to maximize profits at the expense of consumers.

It essentially impacts the smaller rivals like Android or Google and drives up prices.

If the suit against Apple is successful, it could result in users having more choices such as access to an alternative app store and allowing users to customize their preferences without being limited to the Apple store.

App store fees and yearly subscriptions could also be reduced.

Attorney General Josh Kaul appalled the effort.

"The harms to consumers may be hard to see day to day but they are real," Kaul said. "We see higher prices when there are anti-competitive conduct. When people are worried about their pocketbooks, particularly in a time involving more inflation, these are the kinds of things that can increase prices."

Apple, which is one of the world's most valuable and influential companies, has denied the allegations.

The move comes as several lawmakers have put an increased focus and pressure on Big Tech companies in recent years.