Apple Sued for Obstructing Cryptocurrency Payment Technology

• Apple Under Legal Fire for Allegedly Restricting Crypto Payment Options
• Details of the Complaint
• Accusations Against Apple
• Demands of the Plaintiffs
• Previous Allegations
• Apple's Response to the Lawsuit

Apple Under Legal Fire for Allegedly Restricting Crypto Payment Options

Apple is currently under the scrutiny of a lawsuit, brought forward by consumers who argue that the organization is deliberately curtailing peer-to-peer payment options. Furthermore, the plaintiffs allege that Apple is effectively blocking the application of crypto technology on its iOS payments apps.

Details of the Complaint

The complaint was officially lodged in a California District Court on November 17. The complainants argue that Apple has partaken in anti-competitive agreements with PayPal's Venmo and Block's Cash App. According to the filed documents, Apple purportedly seeks to limit the integration of decentralized crypto technologies in payment applications. The claimants further argue that the organization's actions have resulted in users being subjected to rapidly increasing prices.

Accusations Against Apple

According to the complaint, These agreements limit feature competition-and the price competition that would flow from it-marketwide, including by barring the incorporation of decentralized cryptocurrency technology within existing or new iOS Peer-to-Peer Payment apps. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Apple employs technological and contractual restraints. Such restraints, the plaintiffs argue, encompass hardware-enforced App Store exclusivity and contractual limitations on web browser technology. This, they suggest, allows Apple to exercise unfettered control over every app installed and run on iPhones and iPads.

Demands of the Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs are seeking restitution for the purported excessive fees and overcharging, which they attribute to Apple's actions. The lawsuit provides insight into the evolution and growth of peer-to-peer payment applications and crypto assets. It also highlights Apple's foray into the crypto market.

Previous Allegations

Interestingly, this is not the first instance of Apple facing legal challenges for allegedly blocking applications. In April, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the company had violated California's competition laws. According to the ruling, Apple had prohibited applications from directing users towards non-Apple-associated payment methods.

Apple's Response to the Lawsuit

As yet, the tech behemoth has not issued any official statements. The way in which this lawsuit develops remains to be seen.

Edited by Jonathan Stoker