- The Beeper Mini app that makes iMessage available for Android may not be over yet
- The US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission began to look into the matter
- It is likely that Apple has abused its dominant position in the market
The Beeper application recently pleased all owners of Android devices who missed communication with family and friends through iMessage. It didn’t take long for Apple to take action against the app. However, this has attracted the attention of the authorities – the US Department of Justice is conducting a preliminary antitrust investigation into the blocking of the unofficial Beeper app, and the Federal Trade Commission also appears to be evaluating Apple’s actions. The report followed calls by a bipartisan group of senators for a Justice Department investigation and Bleeper’s announcement that it had given up hope of keeping the app functional.
Apple probably engages in monopolistic practices
Apple has consistently refused to make iMessage available on Android devices, seeing it as a key selling point for the iPhone. The only exception is the European Union, where Apple argues the exact opposite, i.e. that the share of their users is not significant enough to have to comply with EU laws. Third parties have variously attempted to work around this situation, often with adverse privacy consequences. Among them was the questionable approach of the previous version of Beeper from 2021.
Beeper Mini has made iMessage available for Android
The new Beeper Mini app exploited a loophole in iMessage and effectively did nothing to upset Apple in terms of security. However, Apple quickly closed the gap and stated that it was going to take further steps. Beeper fought back with an update that made the service available again, but required users to create an Apple ID. Apple quickly removed this option as well. The cat and mouse game continued and the iPhone maker successfully blocked more than 60% of Beeper Mini users. Beeper’s developers finally announced that Apple had beaten them to the punch and admitted they couldn’t win.
Don’t overlook
Did Apple cut them out? iMessage for Android stopped working a few days after launch (revived)
A group of lawmakers has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Apple is violating antitrust laws. However, although nothing has been officially announced, The New York Times reports today that the Justice Department is indeed looking into the matter. Given the timing, it’s unclear whether this was in response to senators’ concerns before the open letter was sent, or if Beeper had previously filed a complaint. The document also suggests the Federal Trade Commission will get involved. So it is possible that the whole matter will have an outcome.
Author of the article
Dominik Vlasak
Editor, traveler, fan of technology, Star Wars and good coffee.
2023-12-25 07:00:00
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