Apple has stated that the Justice Department has made multiple modifications to the legal theories underlying its case during a four-year investigation. This comes as other court rulings have emerged, undermining the government's case. Apple claims that the DOJ has had to adjust its arguments at least six times in response to these developments.
One significant setback for the DOJ, as highlighted by Apple, was an appeals court ruling last year that found Apple did not violate US antitrust laws with its app store. This ruling dealt a blow to the Justice Department's case against the tech giant.
Apple has refrained from disclosing how it became aware of the Justice Department's shifting arguments, citing the importance of maintaining confidentiality in legal matters.
Furthermore, Apple has alleged that the DOJ is attempting to make iPhones more akin to Android devices, a move that Apple believes its customers do not desire. Apple has expressed concerns that such changes could effectively transform the US government into a de facto technology designer.