Congress Is Investigating Apple's Repair Monopoly

The United States House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee is launching an antitrust investigation into Apple and its anti-competitive behavior. From a report: Part of the investigation will focus on Apple's repair monopoly, which for years has given the company control over the useful life of its products. In a letter to Apple, the committee asked Apple to turn over all internal communications from 14 top executives at the company -- including CEO Tim Cook -- relating to "Apple's restrictions on third-party repairs," among dozens of other topics. In particular, the committee wants information about: "Apple's restrictions on third-party repairs, including but not limited to any rules with which Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) must comply, such as rules restricting or prohibiting AASPs from making any specific repairs.""Apple's decision in December 2017 to offer iPhone battery replacements at a discounted price, or the actual or projected effects of this decision, including but not limited to, effects on iPhone sales.""Apple's decision to introduce the 'Independent Repair Provider Program,' including but not limited to, decisions covering which specific repair parts Apple will make available through the program and at what price.""Apple's decision in 2018 to enter into an agreement with Amazon to sell Apple products on Amazon and to limit the resellers that can sell Apple products on Amazon."Read more of this story at Slashdot.
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