Apple and DOJ hold settlement talks in 2024 antitrust case

Apple and the U.S. Department of Justice are engaged in active settlement talks to resolve a major antitrust lawsuit filed against the tech giant in 2024, according to people familiar with the negotiations. The discussions, which could avert a lengthy and high-profile trial, have progressed to the point where Apple has made multiple settlement offers to the Justice Department this year, though no agreement has been reached and a deal is not guaranteed.

The lawsuit, originally filed in March 2024 by the Justice Department alongside 19 states and the District of Columbia, accuses Apple of illegally maintaining a monopoly in the smartphone market. The government alleges Apple used its control over the iPhone's hardware, iOS operating system, and App Store to stifle competition. Specific complaints include blocking so-called "super apps," degrading the quality of third-party messaging services, restricting cloud-streaming apps, limiting the functionality of rival smartwatches and digital wallets, and charging supracompetitive fees.

Since the lawsuit was filed, Apple has implemented several changes that address parts of the government's complaint. The company has opened its Messages...