Apple could also be going through a possible US Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit — however this time targeted on AirTags and its different {hardware}. Sources advised Politico that DOJ attorneys are within the nascent phases of drafting an antitrust grievance in opposition to the tech large. While these sources indicated the DOJ has taken an curiosity in Apple’s {hardware}, there isn’t any assure the company will comply with by way of with a lawsuit presently. 

The DOJ started investigating the iPhone maker in 2019, as half of a bigger authorities antitrust probe into Big Tech. So far, the company has primarily targeted on Apple’s tight maintain of its App Store and fee system for builders. The new potential go well with reportedly could go additional and hone in on years of public complaints by monitoring gadget maker Tile over Apple’s AirTags. 

AirTags use ultra-wideband expertise and Apple’s Find My community to find units, usually way more exactly than Tile’s early-model Bluetooth-enabled trackers. In testimony earlier than Congress, Tile has alleged that Apple purposely deprived Tile on iOS units by walling off its Find My community. The tech large ultimately opened its Find My community to third-party units final yr for location monitoring, albeit with extreme phrases and restrictions which might seemingly end in firms like Tile having to surrender their software program ecosystems in favor of Apple’s. Incidentally, this was a cut price Tile opted to not take. Engadget has reached out to Apple and the DOJ for remark and can replace if we hear again.