Apple’s alleged anticompetitive eBook practices might be even worse than we thought

Apple’s already in some hot water for allegedly conspiring to rig eBook prices and now the United States Department of Justice has revealed some new evidence showing that the company’s anticompetitive practices may have extended beyond mere price-fixing. GigaOM reports that the DOJ is alleging that Apple “changed in-app purchase rules to require that any content sold through apps must also be sold through the iTunes Store, and forbid publishers and retailers from sending users to websites outside their apps to make purchases.” The DOJ says that the effect of this policy change was “to make it more difficult for consumers using Apple devices to compare eBook prices among different retailers, and for consumers to purchase eBooks from other retailers on Apple’s devices.” Apple has denied the DOJ’s allegations that it rigged eBook prices and will likely appeal the department’s ruling.