Apple targeted by multi-state consumer protection investigation

The Cupertino tech giant is already under antitrust scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe, and has been in the spotlight by consumer protection groups in recent years.

A new report from Axios on Thursday indicates that multiple U.S. states are currently investigating Apple for potentially deceiving customers. There are currently no exact details on the probe, however.

Per a document uncovered by technology watchdog Tech Transparency Project, the Texas attorney general may file a lawsuit against Apple for violating the state’s deceptive trade practices law. That complaint would be in connection with a current multi-state investigation.

Originally, the Texas Consumer Protection Division “initiated this investigation for enforcement purposes. If violations are uncovered, CPD will initiate enforcement proceedings. Accordingly, the OAG anticipates litigation in this matter,” the uncovered documents read.

It isn’t clear what the basis of the allegations are. Texas’ consumer protection law bars policies that are deemed false, deceptive or misleading.

Neither Apple nor the Texas AG responded to requests for comment from Axios.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to testify in a U.S. House Judiciary Committee meeting on July 27 as part of a broader probe investigating the market dominance of major technology companies.