Monopoly Busters Chairs Statement on Apple Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02), Chairs of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, released the following statement regarding U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers holding Apple accountable for anticompetitive conduct.
“For years, Apple has restricted consumer choice by charging an exorbitant fee on developers who sell apps to customers on Apple’s app store. In 2021, the court found that this fee violated unfair competition laws, and it ordered Apple to allow customers to purchase apps directly on developers’ websites at a cheaper price.
“Instead of following that directive, Apple doubled down on its illegal behavior. It continued to impose a hefty fee and actively discouraged customers from paying for apps outside the app store. When confronted in court, an Apple executive outright lied about it under oath.
“American consumers deserve better than this corporate power run amok. They deserve a digital economy that benefits them rather than billionaires who control it, and allows freedom of choice, innovation, and real competition. Today’s ruling is a step in the right direction and sends a strong message that Big Tech companies cannot rip off consumers without facing consequences.
“We also saw House Republicans withdraw their proposal to eliminate the Federal Trade Commission — an agency that has brought monumental lawsuits against Facebook, Amazon, and other large corporations to lower costs and promote competition and should never have been threatened in the first place. We look forward to seeing this work continue to finally crack down on corporate monopolies that harm small businesses, raise prices on consumers, and stifle the innovation that has made our country an economic powerhouse.”
The Monopoly Busters Caucus brings together Members of Congress to fight corporate power and build a fair economy that works for hardworking Americans, workers, and small businesses.
Issues: Science, Technology, & Antitrust