Apple must defend itself against a sweeping U.S. antitrust lawsuit after U.S. District Judge Julien Neals in Newark, New Jersey, rejected the company’s bid to have the case thrown out. The Department of Justice and a coalition of states filed the suit in March 2024, alleging the iPhone maker unlawfully dominates the U.S. smartphone market. Prosecutors say Apple erects technical and contractual barriers—ranging from App Store rules and fees to restrictions on smart-watch compatibility, digital wallets and messaging services—that lock users into its ecosystem and deter rivals. The judge ruled those claims, if proven, could violate federal antitrust law, allowing discovery and a potentially lengthy trial to proceed. Apple said it believes the lawsuit is "wrong on the facts and the law" and vowed to fight the case. The DOJ declined to comment on the decision. The ruling adds to Apple’s global antitrust pressure. Swiss privacy-software provider Proton AG filed a separate complaint in California on Monday, calling Apple’s App Store fees "artificial and arbitrary." In Brazil, the technical body of antitrust regulator CADE recommended a fine and remedial measures over alleged anti-competitive practices in Apple’s iOS ecosystem.