DOJ wins pause on order requiring documents from 14 agencies in Apple antitrust
The U.S. Department of Justice has secured a temporary pause on a court order that required it to respond to Apple’s requests for documents from 14 federal agencies. Special Master Judge Jose Linares issued the stay on May 15, 2025, while the government appeals his earlier ruling that favored Apple in the ongoing antitrust case.
Background of the Antitrust Case
The DOJ filed its antitrust lawsuit against Apple in March 2024, alleging that the company’s practices—such as app store restrictions, iOS ecosystem lock-in, and hardware-software integration—constitute illegal monopolization. Apple has denied the claims, arguing that its policies are pro-competitive and protect user privacy and security.
In April 2025, Judge Linares sided with Apple in a discovery dispute, ordering the DOJ to produce documents from a broad range of federal agencies. The DOJ then asked Linares to reconsider, but he rejected that motion. The government subsequently appealed to District Judge Julien Neals, and requested a stay of the discovery order pending that appeal.
What Apple Is Seeking
Apple wants to examine how federal agencies evaluate privacy and security when setting smartphone policies and making purchasing decisions. The company argues these records could prove that certain practices challenged by the DOJ are legitimate product differentiators and security safeguards, not anticompetitive restrictions. Specifically, Apple requested documents from these 14 agencies:
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of Defense
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• General Services Administration
• Department of Labor
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Office of Management and Budget
• Office of Personnel Management
• Department of State
The Stay Decision
In his ruling today, Judge Linares granted the DOJ’s motion to pause the discovery order while District Judge Julien Neals considers the appeal. Linares acknowledged that Apple may have a strong case, noting the DOJ faces “an uphill battle” in succeeding on appeal, but that alone did not justify denying the stay. He agreed with the DOJ’s argument that requiring the 14 agencies to undertake the “purportedly extensive amount of work” involved in responding to discovery would be “simply unfair” if the order is later reversed.
Judge Linares also rejected Apple’s contention that a pause would prejudice the company by further delaying its access to the documents. He stated that the case remains “very much in the earlier phases of discovery” and that other discovery can proceed in the meantime.
Next Steps in the Appeal Process
With the stay granted, Apple now has an opportunity to respond to the government’s appeal. After that response, the DOJ will have seven calendar days to file a reply. Judge Neals will then decide whether to uphold or reverse Judge Linares’ original discovery order. This appeal is just one of many procedural battles in the high-stakes antitrust case, which could reshape how Apple operates its App Store and iOS ecosystem.
Legal experts note that the outcome of this discovery dispute may influence whether Apple can access sensitive government communications about smartphone security standards—potentially a cornerstone of its defense. The case is scheduled for trial in 2026, though pre-trial motions and appeals could push that timeline.