DOJ sues Apple in antitrust case, alleging illegal smartphone market monopoly

The Department of Justice is suing Apple over allegations of violating antitrust law.

Attorney General Merrick Garland and other top DOJ officials are set to make an announcement later Thursday. The lawsuit, which the department said was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, targets Apple's grip on the smartphone market, according to a press release from the DOJ.

"Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws," Garland said in a statement. "We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly."