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After witnessing Apple’s defiance of European antitrust regulators this week, it is evident that the company warrants greater antitrust scrutiny.
The tech industry thrives best under open standards and fair competition. Innovation flourishes when investment can be made in new technologies, ushering in new versions of the internet, better AI tools, transparent tech like blockchain, and consumer-centric gatherings like the metaverse.
However, Apple obstructs this progress. It embodies the ultimate walled garden, operating as a vertically integrated company, controlling its hardware, software, chips, physical and digital stores, and data centers. While this strategy has brought singular success, it contradicts the essence of Silicon Valley’s past innovation. Once the underdog, Apple is now the monolithic empire. Though this opinion column may seem biased, I challenge Apple to respond to these criticisms.
The European Union imposed a fine on Apple related to Spotify, highlighting Apple’s monopolistic behavior. Apple’s defense focuses on Spotify’s inspired fine by the European Union.
The horizontal rebel alliance
The tech industry was historically driven by multiple entities fostering innovation through collaboration. Apple’s vertical integration model, focusing on singular success, starkly contrasts this approach. While Apple’s products have been innovative, they contribute to the consolidation of its walled garden.
