This is hideous though. Why should someone's preference for a mobile phone, chosen for their convenience, hinder them from texting those they care about?

Perhaps societal customs should change instead of infringing on the business practices (which don't violate a law).

The anticompetitive preference for internal apps though is pretty bad and I think Apple should be nailed on that, but they shouldn't be punished for creating a "better" (in quotes because I think Android is on the better standard for messaging) messaging experience.

This is my experience too. Either iPhone or find non-american friends.

That doesn’t sound like something that’s against the law. A company shouldn’t be punished based on their success, but if they violate a law or not.

There are dozens of other popular (group) messaging apps