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Judge Tosses Out Cryptocurrency Apple Antitrust Lawsuit Filed by Venmo Customers

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A lawsuit targeting Apple’s refusal to allow apps to support cryptocurrency transactions was today tossed out by a San Francisco judge, reports Reuters. The lawsuit, which was filed by Venmo and Cash App customers, claimed that Apple drove up the fees charged by Venmo and Cash App by not letting payment apps facilitate cryptocurrency transactions.

iOS App Store General Feature Black
The plaintiffs alleged that Apple curbed competition in the mobile peer-to-peer payment market with its App Store guidelines. No option for cryptocurrency has supposedly caused Venmo and Cash App to raise prices for transactions and services due to “no competitive check.” A payment app that is based on decentralized cryptocurrency technology would let iPhone users “send payments to each other without any intermediary at all.”

According to the lawsuit, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, and other payment providers agreed to an ‌App Store‌ guideline that does not allow for cryptocurrency transactions, which constitutes an “unlawful agreement.” Apple asked for the case to be thrown out because the plaintiffs were not able to demonstrate illegal app rules or business agreements, and the judge agreed.

Apple’s ‌App Store‌ rules allow cryptocurrency wallets that store virtual currency, and apps can facilitate cryptocurrency transactions on an approved exchange in countries where the app has licensing and permission to operate a crypto exchange.

The judge overseeing the case called it “speculative” and said it “suffers from several fatal problems.” The plaintiffs have been given 21 days to submit an amended complaint, but the judge does not believe the case can be saved.

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Why the Apple antitrust case is weak

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The Department of Justice’s monumental Apple antitrust case appears weak.

Still, the civil lawsuit, filed Thursday, represents the biggest legal challenge to Apple’s power in the company’s 47-year history. If successful, the lawsuit could force Apple to fundamentally change the way it makes products and conducts business. A similar action against Microsoft in the 1990s significantly curtailed that company’s reach and power.

But the DOJ’s lawsuit against Apple appears to be based on old and outdated information, and Apple has already — or is about to — address most of the major concerns.

Why the Apple antitrust case is weak

In the United States, most antitrust lawsuits stem from the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act, enacted in the Gilded Age, when railroad robber barons and predatory oil and electricity giants dominated the American economy. Since then, antitrust lawsuits have remade entire industries, as with the breakup of the Bell telephone monopoly in the early 1980s.

In the tech sector, giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and Intel have all been targeted for antitrust action, often resulting in big changes to how they do business. Most famously, Microsoft had its wings clipped after the DOJ sued the company for abusing its monopoly power in operating systems to stifle the emerging market for web browsers. The company suffered a couple of decades of diminished power until recently recovering its mojo under CEO Satya Nadella.

Apple mostly skirted antitrust action until recently, as its growing power and dominance of the smartphone sector attracted attention from regulators. In recent years, Apple has faced lawsuits from lawmakers in Europe, Korea and now the United States.

The DOJ’s case against Apple hinges on five major areas where Apple is accused of blocking competition:

  • Messaging apps.
  • Digital wallets.
  • Cloud streaming apps.
  • So-called “super apps.”
  • Smartwatches.

The DOJ alleges that Apple illegally stifles competition in these areas, allowing it to maintain an illegal smartphone monopoly that harms consumers.

The department launched its investigation in 2019 under the Trump administration, as Apple grew into one of the biggest companies in the world. A big antitrust lawsuit against Apple has been anticipated for years.

In anticipation, Apple already took steps to address three out of five of the main issues in the DOJ’s lawsuit. And the two remaining — smartwatches and super apps — remain contentious.

Messaging apps

The DOJ accuses Apple of harming consumers by “undermining” messaging apps, either with iMessage’s infamous green bubbles on Android or by delivering degraded audio and video in third-party messaging apps.

“Apple makes third-party messaging apps on the iPhone worse generally and relative to Apple Messages, Apple’s own messaging app, by prohibiting third-party apps from sending or receiving carrier-based messages,” the lawsuit alleges. “By doing so, Apple is knowingly and deliberately degrading quality, privacy, and security for its users and others who do not have iPhones.”

This paragraph refers to Android users in group messaging chats getting scaled-down images and video. But this is a limitation of SMS and MMS, which makes it a carrier problem, not Apple’s. (Apple’s Messages app uses those protocols instead of iMessage when sending messages to non-Apple devices.)

In addition, there’s no shortage of competition among messaging apps. There are dozens of third-party messaging apps available on iPhone, from FaceBook messages to WhatsApp, the most popular messaging service in the world. These apps can be freely installed without restriction, and have access to key iPhone features like notifications.

With regard to Apple’s own messaging service, Messages, it’s true that Apple uses green bubbles for messages from non Apple-devices, a source of shame and embarrassment for some users. However, Apple already committed to adding the Rich Communications Services, the messaging protocol used on Android devices, to its Messages app in the next big update of iOS 18, due later this year.

It’s not clear whether Apple’s support for RCS will kill off the notorious green bubbles. But the company’s support of RCS is clearly spurred by regulatory scrutiny, so Apple will likely address it in some way. Plus, adding RCS should improve images and videos sent between iPhone and Android devices, making the DOJ’s accusations moot.

Digital wallets

The DOJ’s antitrust case also accuses Apple of limiting third-party digital wallets’ access to the iPhone’s near-field NFC chip, which cripples third-party tap-to-pay services.

It’s true that when Apple launched contactless payments in 2014 with iOS 8.1, the feature was initially restricted to Apple’s own Wallet app. Apple allowed other financial institutions to offer contactless payments, but only through its app.

However, two years ago, in June 2022, Apple opened up the iPhone’s NFC with Tap to Pay. The feature is being used by several financial companies, including PayPal, Chase Bank, Square, Stripe and Mastercard.

It’s unclear why the DOJ would accuse Apple of abusing this feature when the company opened it up two years ago.

Attorney General Merrick Garland at. press conference announcing a major antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolizing smartphone markets.
Attorney General Merrick Garland at. press conference announcing a major antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolizing smartphone markets.
Photo: Department of Justice

Cloud streaming apps for gaming

The same holds true for cloud streaming apps. The DOJ accuses Apple of stifling the gaming market by forbidding cloud streaming game apps, which allegedly harms consumers by forcing them to buy expensive gaming hardware instead of streaming games to their iPhones.

“Cloud streaming games … can improve smartphone competition by decreasing the importance of expensive hardware for accomplishing high compute tasks on a smartphone,” the lawsuit says. “Suppressing cloud streaming games harms users by denying them the ability to play high-compute games, and it harms developers by preventing them from selling such games to users.”

Apple initially forbade game streaming services in the App Store. But in 2020, as game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Facebook Gaming and GeForce Now took off, Apple relaxed its App Store rules to allow them. Apple simply insisted that developers submit games individually, rather than as a hub that could stream multiple titles.

But Apple changed even that policy earlier this year — again, likely because of regulatory scrutiny — to allow game streaming services to run through a single app “with the capability to stream all of the games offered in their catalog.”

Again, the DOJ’s complaint stems from previously restrictive practices that Apple has since loosened up.

Smartwatches

The DOJ also alleges Apple limits the functionality of third-party smartwatches on iPhone. That makes Apple Watch more attractive to iPhone owners. And once they buy an Apple Watch, they become less likely to switch away from Apple’s platform.

“Apple uses smartwatches, a costly accessory, to prevent iPhone customers from choosing other phones,” the suit alleges. “Apple’s smartwatch — Apple Watch — is only compatible with the iPhone. So, if Apple can steer a user towards buying an Apple Watch, it becomes more costly for that user to purchase a different kind of smartphone because doing so requires the user to abandon their costly Apple Watch and purchase a new, Android-compatible smartwatch.”

The DOJ is right that Apple Watch requires an iPhone. Apple Watch is basically an iPhone accessory. You need an iPhone to set up your Apple Watch and use it. Anybody who buys an iPhone knows this, or quickly finds out.

If you willingly buy an accessory for any other item, like a lawnmower or car, must you be able to use it with a competing brand? Plus, the DoJ’s argument that Apple Watch users would switch to Android if they were compatible is dubious at best.

Cross-platform ‘super apps’

The DOJ alleges that Apple limits so-called super apps, which are all-encompassing apps (like China’s WeChat) that offer multiple services in a single app, like calls, messaging, payments, shopping and social media.

The DOJ argues that super apps are good for consumers because users get everything they want under one roof. Plus, they’re good for developers, who don’t need to create separate apps for iOS or Android. Everything runs inside a cross-platform super app.

This is a threat to Apple, the DOJ says, because super apps lower switching costs. The DOJ cites an Apple boardroom presentation where super apps were described as a threat.

“Apple recognizes that super apps with mini programs would threaten its monopoly,” the suit says. “As one Apple manager put it, allowing super apps to become ‘the main gateway where people play games, book a car, make payments, etc.’ would ‘let the barbarians in at the gate.’”

But once again, Apple is relaxing its rules about super apps. In January, Apple said it would start allowing mini-apps and games in super apps, although it will impose some restrictions, such as not allowing mini-apps to use Apple’s in-app purchase system.

DOJ’s weak antitrust lawsuit targets Apple’s past behavior

Apple already appears to be obviating many of the DOJ’s complaints by relaxing rules regarding contactless payments, streaming game services and super apps. Some of these changes, like RCS, have yet to be implemented, but Apple appears to be trying to head off the DOJ at the pass.

Whether Apple’s concessions will satisfy the DOJ remains to be seen — and likely will be litigated in court, possibly for years to come. But on the face of it, the DOJ’s lawsuit seems weak because it’s based on Apple’s past behavior, not the current reality.



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Justice Department files antitrust lawsuit against Apple

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The Department of Justice and more than a dozen states have filed a lawsuit against Apple in the US federal court, accusing the company of violating antitrust laws. It says Apple’s hardware and software products are largely inaccessible to competitors, making it difficult for rivals to compete and for customers to switch to other companies’ products.

The lawsuit comes after the European Commission fined Apple €1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) for stopping music-streaming developers from “informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available” outside the App Store. And all this while US lawmakers chase another tech company, TikTok, with a lot of enthusiasm.

The DOJ suggests Apple used its control over iOS to block innovative apps and cloud streaming services from the public. (Look at cloud gaming services, like Google’s now-gone Stadia and Microsoft’s xCloud). The suit also suggests Apple has obstructed rival payment platforms, made it harder for Android messages to appear on iPhones and restricted how competing smartphones integrated with iOS devices.

You could compare Apple’s antitrust suit to Microsoft’s antitrust suit brought against Windows in the late ’90s — even Attorney General Merrick Garland noted those in the suit. But Microsoft truly dominated PC software back then, with over 90 percent of all PCs running some flavor of Windows.

The DOJ says Apple claims 70 percent of all smartphones, which is already less. Step outside the US, which is a bit academic here, and Apple has the same market share as Samsung, with many other phone makers jostling for a percentage point or two. It’s not quite the same grip as Microsoft had on PCs.

— Mat Smith

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Microsoft

Two devices conspicuously missing from Microsoft’s Surface and AI event last fall are finally here — and they’re what we expected and a bit surprising. Today, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, sporting the same designs as the previous models but now with the AI smarts of Intel’s new Core Ultra CPU. Alas, both have the foreboding words “for business” attached to their names, so you’ll only be able to buy them from Microsoft’s website or commercial resellers. But why? We don’t really know.

Continue reading.

It’s in partnership with Alphabet’s Wing.

DoorDash just announced the launch of a new drone delivery pilot program in Christiansburg, Virginia, with an approximate population of 22,000. The company says orders should arrive in 30 minutes or less, making high-flying drones about as fast as a standard pizza delivery. However, it’s limited to only “eligible items.” And, alas, only items from fast-food chain Wendy’s.

Wendy’s? Wendy’s.

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The social media stalwart wants to raise around $631 million in its IPO.

Nearly two decades after its debut, Reddit is now a publicly traded company. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange as RDDT on Thursday, with mascot Snoo on hand to ring the opening bell. One interesting aspect of Reddit going public is it offered shares at the IPO pricing to long-term users of good standing over the last few weeks. It’s not all good news for Reddit, though. It recently signed a deal with Google, reportedly worth $60 million a year, to train the latter’s AI models on user-generated content. The Federal Trade Commission is looking into that arrangement.

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Apple Facing Imminent U.S. Antitrust Lawsuit

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The United States Justice Department is preparing to sue Apple for violating antitrust law as soon as Thursday, reports Bloomberg. The lawsuit will be the culmination of an investigation that initially started in 2019 as an antitrust review of major technology companies. U.S. regulators have already sued Google, Meta, and Amazon.

iphone 15 sizes
Over the last several years, Apple officials have met with the DoJ multiple times, and the investigation has covered everything from iMessage to ad practices. Some of what the DoJ has looked into:

  • How the Apple Watch works better with iPhone than other smart watches do.
  • How Apple locks competitors out of iMessage.
  • How Apple blocks financial firms from offering tap-to-pay services similar to Apple Pay.
  • Whether Apple favors its own apps and services over those provided by third-party developers.
  • How Apple has blocked cloud gaming apps from the App Store.
  • How Apple restricts the ‌‌iPhone‌‌’s location services from devices that compete with AirTag.
  • How App Tracking Transparency impacted the collection of advertising data.
  • In-app purchase fees collected by Apple.

Apple competitors like Tile, Beeper, Basecamp, Meta, and Spotify have had discussions with antitrust investigators to voice their complaints about Apple’s practices, as have big banks. According to Bloomberg, the DoJ plans to argue that Apple has used illegal practices to maintain a dominant market position, blocking competitors from hardware and software features on the ‌iPhone‌.

Back in 2020, a United States House Judiciary Subcommittee investigation concluded that Apple, Meta, Google, and Amazon have the “kinds of monopolies” last seen in “the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons.” The subcommittee recommended new antitrust law, but the DoJ opted to target Google before going after Apple because Apple was embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit with Epic Games.

Apple in iOS 17.4 had to make sweeping changes to the way the ‌App Store‌ operates in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act, and it was also recently fined $2 billion in Europe for anti-competitive behavior against rival music services.

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EU Antitrust Chief Warns Apple About App Store Fees and Safety Warnings

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Key parts of Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are set to be investigated by European regulators based on developer feedback, the EU’s antitrust chief warned on Tuesday.

App Store vs EU Feature 2
In an interview with Reuters, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said that Apple’s introduction of new fees was already being looked at as a potential attempt to dissuade developers from using alternative app stores.

“There are things that we take a keen interest in, for instance, if the new Apple fee structure will de facto not make it in any way attractive to use the benefits of the DMA. That kind of thing is what we will be investigating,” she told Reuters.

Apple enabled alternative app stores in the EU earlier this month, allowing third-party app stores to offer a catalog of other developers’ apps as well as the marketplace developer’s own apps. Apple also has a new fee structure as part of the change that has already come under fire from several developers and EU associations.

Vestager also warned Apple and other companies against discouraging users from switching to other app marketplaces by disparaging them, saying this kind of behaviour could trigger an investigation. Apple has already claimed some of the DMA-enforced changes could expose users to security risks that they are otherwise protected against when using the App Store.

“I would think of it as unwise to say that the services are not safe to use, because that has nothing to do with the DMA,” said Vestager. “The DMA is there to open the market for other service providers to get to you and how your service provider of your operating system, how they will make sure that it is safe is for them to decide.”

“And of course, if we see or get the suspicion that this is in order to say that someone else are not doing their job of course, we might take initiatives to look into that,” she added.

Vestager said feedback from developers was key to whether she would launch investigations into companies that must comply with the DMA. Asked whether she had received any comments from third parties, she said: “Quite a lot.”

Apple’s app ecosystem changes in the European Union went into effect with the launch of iOS 17.4 on March 6. Apple has since been tweaking the app ecosystem rules that it introduced based on developer feedback and discussions with regulators.

For example, third-party app stores are now able to offer apps directly from their own catalog, and developers will soon be able to distribute apps directly from their websites as long as they meet Apple’s requirements.

Apple says it is also working a solution that would prevent its 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee (CTF) from bankrupting developers if their free app goes viral.

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