Apple says DOJ's antitrust lawsuit would 'reduce consumer choice'

Apple has responded to the antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department, which accused the company of having a smartphone monopoly and criticized its "walled garden" approach. Apple claims that the lawsuit threatens what sets the iPhone apart in a competitive market, reduces consumer choice, and erodes competition. The company denies the DOJ's allegations, stating that its rules allow and support "super apps," that it does not block cloud streaming games, and that it does not degrade third-party messaging apps or limit the functionality of third-party smartwatches. Apple also argues that it has developed a mechanism to protect user security while enabling third-party developers to offer alternate payment applications. The company accuses the DOJ of narrowly focusing on Apple without considering the competition it faces from other major manufacturers. The lawsuit is now heading to the discovery phase, where both sides will gather evidence to support their case.