Apple faces lawsuit alongside Visa and Mastercard over high merchant fees

Beverage retailer Mirage Wine & Spirits has filed a proposed class action lawsuit in East St. Louis, accusing Apple, Visa, and Mastercard of conspiring to stifle competition in point-of-sale payment card network services.

The complaint alleges that Apple entered unlawful agreements with Visa and Mastercard to avoid competing with them, resulting in higher fees for credit and debit transactions paid by merchants.

According to the lawsuit, Visa and Mastercard paid Apple substantial amounts as a "cash bribe" for refraining from competition, while highlighting that Android-based devices allow third-party mobile wallets. The suit, seeking triple damages, represents a proposed class of numerous merchants.

Apple faces various legal challenges over payments, including antitrust claims in both the U.S. and Europe.