Apple swears you’re free to leave the iPhone whenever you want, and it needs Samsung to prove it

Source Domain: www.phonearena.com

Apple asking Samsung for help might just be the most unexpected twist in the DOJ antitrust saga so far. And honestly, it says a lot about how seriously Cupertino is taking the accusation that it locks users into its ecosystem.

Apple wants Samsung’s data to prove you can freely leave the iPhone

In a recent court filing, Apple is requesting permission to obtain internal documents from Samsung’s South Korean headquarters. We’re talking market research, business reports, and data tied to Samsung’s smartphones, smartwatches, and even the Galaxy Store.
This is all part of Apple’s ongoing legal battle with the US Department of Justice, which along with multiple US states accuses Apple of using its grip over the iPhone and App Store to squash competition. A central argument in the case? That Apple makes it unnecessarily difficult for iPhone users to jump ship to Android.Apple disagrees, and thinks Samsung’s own internal numbers can prove it. The logic here is that if Samsung, the world’s largest Android phone maker, has data showing people regularly bounce between platforms, that weakens the DOJ’s claim that Apple is keeping users trapped.

Getting that data is another story entirely

Apple already tried going through Samsung’s US division, but was told the relevant documents are housed at Samsung headquarters in South Korea. So now Apple is turning to the “Hague Evidence Convention,” an international legal process for requesting evidence across borders.
Even if the US court signs off, South Korean authorities still need to approve the request. Samsung would almost certainly fight it under local laws since handing over sensitive competitive intelligence to your biggest rival, even through a court order, is a tough ask no matter how you slice it.