Connecticut, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and 15 other states, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc. for monopolizing smartphone markets in violation of the Sherman Act. The complaint alleges Apple engages in anticompetitive conduct such as blocking innovative apps, suppressing cloud streaming services, and limiting interoperability to maintain its monopoly and impose high costs on consumers and developers. The plaintiffs seek equitable relief to restore competition.
The lawsuit seeks equitable relief, including injunctions, to end Apple's anticompetitive conduct and restore competition in smartphone markets, but no specific remedies have been imposed at this time.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor and developer agreements, particularly those governing app distribution, platform access, and interoperability. Focus on clauses that impose restrictions on cross-platform functionality, mandate exclusive use of Apple's services or payment systems, define relevant markets in a way that reinforces monopoly power, or contain MFN provisions that prevent more favorable terms with competitors. Changes may be needed to remove or modify anticompetitive restrictions, ensure fair access to essential interfaces and tools, and allow developers and consumers greater freedom to choose alternative products and services without penalty.
Entity
Apple Inc.
Also known as: Apple
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/connecticut-joins-justice-department-suing-apple-for-monopolizing-smartphone-markets
apple file stamped complaint 32124.pdf?rev=e1b87aa808be4d67a
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/apple-file-stamped-complaint-32124.pdf?rev=e1b87aa808be4d67a5d3af801268c95a&hash=3EE6438399E31E69C7CB721D13456421
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$150K
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced a settlement with Apple Inc. over allegations of widespread merchandise pricing violations at 11 Apple stores statewide, including failure to display required pricing information and refund policies. Apple agreed to pay a $150,000 civil penalty, the largest-ever under New Jersey's Merchandise Pricing Act, and implement revised business practices to ensure clear pricing and refund policy disclosures. The settlement resolves violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and the 2017 consent order previously entered into by Apple.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.