Monopoly - Market dominance that stifles competition and limits user choice.
Apple’s App Store has faced numerous antitrust challenges, with critics arguing that its closed ecosystem, lack of support for third-party app stores and restrictive policies (such as the "Apple Tax" commission) constitute monopolistic behaviour. Courts have ruled that Apple’s practices limit competition and developer choice.Source:TechCrunch: Australian court finds Apple, Google abused app store market power (2025)
Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.
Apple’s App Store is a cornerstone of Apple’s ecosystem, one of the world’s most valuable and influential technology companies. Its control over app distribution, in-app purchases and user data reinforces Apple’s position as a Big Tech leader.Source:The Verge: How the EU’s DMA is changing Big Tech: all of the news and updates (2026)
Misinformation / Manipulation - Spread of false or misleading information, often through algorithmic amplification, which can harm public discourse and trust.
Apple’s App Store has hosted apps that generate or spread non-consensual sexual deepfakes, nudify content and other harmful material, despite explicit policies against such content. Many of these apps remained available until exposed by investigations or public pressure.Source:Wired: Why Are Grok and X Still Available in App Stores? (2026)
AI Bloat - Service has unnecessary or harmful AI features.
Apple’s App Store has seen a rapid influx of AI-driven apps, some of which have been found to generate harmful or non-consensual content. The store’s moderation has struggled to keep up with the volume, leading to concerns about the quality and safety of AI apps.Source:The Register: Nudify app proliferation shows naked ambition of Apple and Google (2026)
E-Waste - Contribution to electronic waste through non-recyclable or short-lived products.
Apple’s App Store plays a role in driving software updates that render older devices obsolete. For example, the release of iOS 26 is expected to make around 75 million iPhones incompatible, contributing to over 1.2 million kilograms of e-waste globally.Source:The Register: Apple iOS 26 set to dump 75M iPhones on the e-waste pile (2025)
Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.
Apple is trying to avoid paying any taxes in the EU. In 2024 it has been fined 13 Billion Euros for illegal tax arrangements with Ireland Source: Wikipedia: Apple's EU tax dispute (2024)
Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.
Apple has banned ICE warnings apps. It is financing Donald Trumps plans to create a new ballroom in the white house, hoping to benefit from upcoming laws. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 Million to Trumps inauguration fund.404 Media: Google Calls ICE Agents a Vulnerable Group, Removes ICE-Spotting App ‘Red Dot’ (2025)OpenSecrets: Trump ballroom donors poised to benefit from AI plan they helped shape (2026)Gizmodo: Tim Cook Is Latest Tech Exec to Kiss the Ring, Gives Trump’s Inauguration $1 Million (2025)