A judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit against Apple that accused the company of creating a “closed ecosystem of apps and services” and engaging in anticompetitive behavior that the plaintiffs say ultimately leads to higher iPhone prices for consumers.
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Po message According to 9to5mac, citing Reuters, the lawsuit was filed after Apple opened up the use of third-party browser engines on iPhones in the European Union in January. The plaintiffs alleged that Apple “engaged in anticompetitive conduct through agreements with browsers that prevent other apps from entering the market.”
The lawsuit alleged that iOS’s use of the WebKit engine limits the functionality of web apps. The plaintiffs argue that this limitation hinders the development of progressive web apps (PWAs) and ensures that other browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, operate under the agreement as alternative versions of Safari rather than independent browsers.
However, Apple categorically denied these allegations in its response to the lawsuit: “Apple’s prices are not artificially inflated, but are competitive in the face of the intense competition it faces from other major technology companies.”
The ruling marks another victory for Apple in a series of lawsuits over allegations of monopolizing the mobile app and service market. The company continues to defend its position, arguing that its practices are aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of the user experience, rather than restricting competition.
US Federal Judge Richard Seeborg dismissed the lawsuit against Apple, finding that the plaintiffs “have no antitrust merits for their claims.”
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