A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the Department of Justice to investigate Apple for potential anticompetitive practices related to its blocking of Beeper's iMessage app. The lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, express concern about Apple's actions hindering interoperability and competition in communication services.
Referring to Apple as a "gatekeeper" with a "monopoly position," the letter cites Beeper CEO Eric Migicovsky's 2015 testimony about concerns regarding dominant messaging services impeding interoperability.
The letter highlights recent events, including Beeper's introduction of the Beeper Mini app to bring iMessage to Android users. The lawmakers contend that Apple's actions, deemed anticompetitive, warrant investigation by the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. This development is the latest in a series of conflicts between Beeper and Apple.
Beeper initially charged users for Beeper Mini but later made it free as Apple impeded message delivery, citing security and privacy risks. Beeper's CEO, Eric Migicovsky, challenged Apple to undergo an independent third-party security audit of Beeper's app, emphasizing its commitment to end-to-end encryption. Apple has yet to respond to this challenge.
The Beeper Mini app, currently operational through Apple ID authentication, remains free amid concerns about potential interference from Apple. The lawmakers view this investigation as a crucial step in addressing anticompetitive behavior in the tech industry.
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