The Microsoft and Apple Antitrust Issues Have Some But Not Many Commonalities

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Mar 26, 2024

FOR "GAFAM" (a term I coined with Julian Assange) there are many layoffs remaining in the pipeline. They're oversized, subsidised, and in many areas they're simply not profitable. They need to change that and even those who traffic taxpayers' money (as a form of bailout) lose their patience. This time they pick on Apple.

There are already tremors of Microsoft layoffs coming up for April (not mere rumours). Microsoft is not growing, it is falling deeper into debt. In addition, Microsoft is in trouble in China and Russia due to sanctions (in both directions). At Apple too there are mass layoffs. Now there's the Federal government to deal with too (drowning in already-abundant "coverage"; we added over 30 links about that to Daily Links).

We'll follow up some time soon, debating what's truly at stake here, but the gist of the comparison to Microsoft (which we saw a lot of) is:

1. Apple tries to control what you can and cannot run on your computer (or phone)
2. Apple restricts who you can pay (it acts as a financial gatekeeper or toll booth)
3. Apple preloads and restricts alternatives

In Microsoft's case:

1. Microsoft controls what operating system comes on virtually every new PC
2. Microsoft intentionally crushes competitors; this way it can command the prices
3. Microsoft obliterates choice of software

Of course Microsoft did (and still does) many other bad things, but there is no commonality there with Apple (or a lot less). █