Nevada joins Justice Department antitrust lawsuit against Apple

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Nevada has joined the federal government's antitrust lawsuit against Apple, which alleges the tech giant has monopolized the smartphone market.

The Justice Department said that Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined the civil antitrust lawsuit Tuesday, along with attorneys general from three other states.

That brings the total number of states and districts involved in the lawsuit up to 20.

Justice Department officials filed the suit in March, alleging that Apple "illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones by selectively imposing contractual restrictions on, and withholding critical access points from, developers."

The company undermines apps, products and services that would make people less reliant on the iPhone or lower costs for consumers and developers.

"If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in March.