Friday briefing: the US sues Apple
The US accused Apple of a monopoly
The Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against tech giant Apple. The lawsuit – which includes 16 states and the District of Columbia – is the federal government’s biggest challenge to Apple’s reach and influence.
The government argued that Apple violated antitrust laws with practices designed to keep customers dependent on their iPhones and less likely to switch to a competing device. By tightly controlling the user experience on iPhones and other devices, Apple has created an uneven playing field, where critics grant its own products and services access to core features that competitors are denied.
It argued that the tech giant was preventing other companies from offering applications that compete with Apple products such as its digital wallet – which could reduce the value of the iPhone. It also said Apple’s policies hurt consumers and smaller businesses that compete with its services, and said its practices resulted in “higher prices and less innovation.”
Reply: Apple has said its control over technology makes iPhones more secure than other smartphones.
What’s next: It is unclear what consequences the lawsuit – which will likely drag on for years – would have for consumers.
Details: The lawsuit asks the court to restrain Apple from engaging in practices such as blocking cloud streaming apps and undermining messaging on smartphone operating systems.
Go deeper: Here’s the lawsuit.
The Indian opposition is facing problems
Just weeks before a crucial election, the head of one of India’s leading opposition parties, the Aam Aadmi Party, was arrested yesterday on what his supporters said were fraudulent charges. That same day, the Indian National Congress – the main opposition party – said it had lost access to most of its major bank accounts.
Critics said the measures were aimed at disadvantaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rivals. As the vote approaches, opposition figures say they are facing a wave of problems from the government, including Modi’s unleashing of major investigative agencies against them while protecting those who switch to his side.
To vote: It lasts six weeks and starts on April 19.
The Dodgers fired Ohtani’s interpreter
The Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter after the baseball star’s representatives accused the employee, Ippei Mizuhara, of using Ohtani’s money to place bets with a bookmaker under federal investigation.
Details are murky. Ohtani’s representatives called him a “victim of a massive theft,” and a Major League Baseball official said Ohtani, a Japanese slugger, currently faces no disciplinary action.
Background: Ohtani and Mizuhara were closer than most players and their interpreters. For much of the past seven years, they were rarely seen apart.
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Have a healthier relationship with your phone
It may be impossible to unplug the power cord. Here you will find a guide to using your devices in a way that suits you.
Follow your urges. Being aware of the desire to pick up your phone or open social media can wake up the part of your brain that regulates self-control and help you curb bad habits.
Stop using while on the road. Using devices while on the go (on the way to a meeting, taking a child to school) can keep us from being involved in our lives.
Schedule small breaks. Put tech breaks on your calendar. It may feel strange to plan something like “taking a phone-free walk,” said one expert, but that shouldn’t happen if it’s a priority.
Control your environment. Don’t rely solely on willpower. Adjust your environment to keep your phone away: set an alarm clock, delete social media apps, or ask a family member to remind you to put the phone down.
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