Apple is fighting back against a U.S. antitrust lawsuit, claiming it's not a "monopolist" and faces tough competition in the tech sector. The tech giant's lawyers argue that the company's alleged anticompetitive conduct involves making independent decisions about the terms and conditions for third-party access to its platform. The lawsuit, filed by the Justice Department in March, alleges that Apple has a smartphone monopoly that restricts features and functions of digital wallets and payments, and that its App Store rules stifle competition. Apple countered that it offers a curated, secure, and reliable user experience, unlike its competitors' more open platforms.