Tech · 18 d ago
Daniel L. Lu (user:dllu) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Developers fear a weak deal in the US antitrust case against Apple
What's new
The US Justice Department is negotiating a settlement with Apple focused on how the iPhone works with other companies' devices, according to reports. PayPal and Epic Games are among developers who raised concerns that it may not go far enough.
Areas named in the 2024 lawsuit
- Messaging
- Digital wallets
- Smartwatches
- Cloud gaming
- Multipurpose apps
The department sued in March 2024, alleging Apple illegally protected a smartphone monopoly through limits on messaging, digital wallets, smartwatches, cloud gaming and multipurpose apps. Apple rejected the allegations.
At the heart of the talks
interoperability
Officials asked developers for ways to improve the iPhone's interoperability: how well it works with rival watches, accessories and payment apps.
What we know
- Settlement talks are under way
- Apple opened RCS and NFC since 2024
Not yet
- What Apple would have to change
- When a deal could come
Apple has since added RCS messaging with Android phones and opened its contactless payment chip to other apps. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to discuss the talks, and Apple did not respond.
