DOJ reportedly accelerates Apple antitrust investigation

The Department of Justice has accelerated its antitrust probe into Apple, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The company's policies for third-party apps connected its devices and whether it unfairly favors its ain products connected its mobile operating strategy are 2 areas of focus, according to the Journal.

Apple shares were somewhat affirmative arsenic of Wednesday afternoon.

The investigation, which began successful 2019, has gained much litigators assigned to it and caller papers requests and consultations with companies related to the substance successful caller months, according to the Journal. Politico reported successful August that the DOJ was successful the "early stages" of drafting a imaginable ailment against the company.

It's inactive unclear what relation DOJ antitrust main Jonathan Kanter volition play successful the probe oregon immoderate imaginable enforcement action. Kanter was initially not progressive successful the Apple substance due to the fact that of his past practice of clients who person accused Apple of being anti-competitive, but sources told the Journal helium would apt extremity up moving connected immoderate enactment against the company. Kanter was cleared to enactment connected Google matters aft the Department evaluated akin concerns implicit his enactment successful backstage practice.

The DOJ already has 2 ongoing antitrust lawsuits against Google, with the archetypal expected to spell to proceedings successful September.

Apple did not instantly respond to a petition for comment. The DOJ declined to comment.

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