Apple shares fall as US lawsuit claims iPhone “monopoly” violates anti-trust rules | BBC News

The US government has begun a landmark lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of monopolising the smartphone market and crushing competition.

The Justice Department alleges the company abuses its control of the iPhone app store to "lock in" customers and developers. It accuses the firm of taking illegal steps to thwart apps seen as a threat and make rival products less appealing.

The lawsuit also alleges that Apple has used "a series of shapeshifting rules" and restricted access to its hardware and software, to boost its profits while raising costs for customers and stifling innovation.

Apple has said it will "vigorously" defend the lawsuit and denies the claims. It marks one of the biggest challenges for Apple, which has been fending off mounting complaints about its practices in recent years.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Michelle Fleury in New York.

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