Antitrust — Online Journal — Columbia Undergraduate Law Review

Gatekeepers of Innovation: Antitrust Challenges in the Digital Marketplace

In April 2013, AppGratis—a popular app-discovery platform with over 12 million iOS users—was abruptly removed from Apple’s App Store. [1] Apple cited violations of App Store guidelines, specifically in regards to restrictions against apps promoting or marketing other apps in a manner similar to the App Store itself. [2] This sudden removal left AppGratis unable to reach its target user base, underscoring broader concerns about Apple’s gatekeeping role in the digital marketplace. While Apple maintains that its stringent App Store policies are designed to ensure security, quality, and a consistent user experience, critics argue that these practices can stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. By controlling which apps are allowed on its platform and enforcing strict guidelines, Apple holds substantial power over developers’ access to the market, raising questions about fair competition and the need for regulatory oversight.

Zoie GeronimiMay 26, 2025Technology, Antitrust, Fair Competition, Digital Marketplace

What a Structural Remedy for Google Means: Implications for Consumers

In the last decade, Google has become synonymous with the internet itself, its search engine serving as the primary gateway for billions of users to access information, commerce, and utilities. Google’s unparalleled dominance in the digital marketplace – particularly in search and advertising – has made the company a focal point of legal scrutiny, provoking inquiry from regulators worldwide. In the United States, this scrutiny has culminated in two ongoing antitrust cases brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ), representing the most significant antitrust challenges to a tech giant since United States v. Microsoft in 1998.

Arielle HillockFebruary 19, 2025Monopoly, Antitrust, Google, Department of Justice, Competition, Consumer WelfareMonopoly, Consumer Welfare