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Apr 30th, 2025, 10:32 PM ET·Technology

US Judge Rules Apple in Willful Contempt of Court Over Antitrust Violations

Apple faces potential criminal charges for violating antitrust orders aimed at its App Store practices, according to a scathing ruling from a federal judge.


Last Update: 3:31 PM ET

Summary

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A federal judge has ruled that Apple willfully violated a prior injunction intended to enhance competition in the App Store, prompting a referral for potential criminal contempt proceedings. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers criticized Apple's actions, describing them as deliberate efforts to maintain anticompetitive barriers, including hiding evidence and lying under oath. Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook, were singled out for disregarding compliance advice. This ruling follows a series of antitrust fines and lawsuits, including a recent $571 million penalty from the European Commission. In a notable development, Epic Games announced plans to resubmit Fortnite on iOS following the ruling.

Sources (13)

Compare coverage of this story from news outlets across the political spectrum.
  • Techdirt
  • The Guardian
  • Wired
  • CNN
  • Apple has been accused of stifling competition and operating as a monopoly by imposing high fees on in-app purchases, according to the ruling.
  • Judge Rogers stated that Apple's actions indicated a deliberate attempt to circumvent court orders and maintain its monopoly over app payments.
  • The judge's ruling refers Apple to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt due to its failure to comply with the injunction.
Judge In Apple / Epic Case Is Spitting Mad At Apple’s Willful Contempt
TechdirtTechdirt·20d·
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"…What makes this ruling so remarkable isn’t just the scathing language or even the criminal referral — it’s the sheer pointlessness of Apple’s defiance."

Apple referred to federal prosecutors after judge rules it violated court order
The GuardianThe Guardian·21d·
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This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Gonzalez Rogers suggested at an earlier hearing that changes made by Apple to its App Store had no purpose “other than to stifle competition”."

Apple May Face Criminal Charges for Allegedly Lying to a Federal Judge
WiredWired·21d·
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This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Apple pursued its noncompliance strategy “with the express intent to create new anticompetitive barriers which would, by design and in effect, maintain a valued revenue stream; a revenue stream previously found to be anticompetitive.”"

US judge rules Apple violated order to reform App Store | Business
CNNCNN·21d·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…Gonzalez Rogers suggested at an earlier hearing that changes made by Apple to its App Store had no purpose "other than to stifle competition.""

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US Judge Rules Apple in Willful Contempt of Court Over Antitrust Violations - Pano News