The United States Department of Justice, joined by 15 states, has filed a comprehensive antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc., alleging the tech giant maintains an illegal monopoly over the smartphone market. The complaint, filed in federal court, argues that Apple uses restrictive contract terms and ecosystem policies to stifle competition, increase costs for consumers, and limit innovation from third-party developers. Apple has strongly denied the allegations, stating the lawsuit is 'wrong on the facts and the law' and warns that such government intervention could set a dangerous precedent for technology design and consumer privacy. Legal experts suggest the case could take years to resolve, potentially reshaping the mobile device industry and how digital services are integrated into hardware.