After nearly five years of investigation, the Department of Justice (DoJ) is finally taking Apple to court over alleged anti-competitive practices. Joined by 16 state attorney generals, the DoJ finally sued Apple, accusing the company of violating antitrust laws. They claim Apple’s actions have prevented users from switching to competitors, resulting in “higher prices and less innovations for users and developers.”

• The government contends that Apple “chooses to make its products worse for consumers to prevent competition from emerging.”
• The lawsuit cited Apple blocking messaging between rival platforms, restricting the functionality of competing smartwatches, and hindering developers from creating apps that could compete with its digital wallet.

Be scared, just not for this: While the case outcome could have severe consequences for Apple, similar to the impact on Microsoft in 1998, the legal battle is likely to drag on for several years. After all, it is only the third time in 14 years that the DOJ has sued Apple. However, Apple’s potential downfall may not solely hinge on this lawsuit but also on several strategic mistakes, a slow entry into AI, and a misplaced focus.