Apple disputes DOJ request for additional evidence in antitrust case

Apple is contesting a request from the U.S. Department of Justice to expand the scope of document production in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit. The dispute centers on the cutoff date for records provided during the evidence-gathering phase, which is currently scheduled to conclude in late May 2027.

Lawyers for the Department of Justice argue that extending the deadline to include documents created up to 30 days before the phase ends is necessary to determine if alleged anticompetitive practices are continuing. Apple, however, maintains that a broad new search would delay the legal proceedings by several months.

In court filings, Apple stated it has already reviewed over 11 million documents and produced more than two million covering an 18-year period. While the company expressed willingness to consider targeted, manageable requests, it opposes a large-scale re-scanning of records. The March 2024 lawsuit accuses Apple of maintaining a smartphone monopoly by restricting competing apps, services, and devices.