Apple is facing increasing pressure in the ongoing antitrust case in India. The Indian Competition Commission is growing increasingly dissatisfied with the company's conduct and accuses it of systematically delaying the proceedings. A new confidential order makes it clear that the authority is no longer willing to accept further postponements.
India is a strategically important market for Apple, both for device sales and for expanding its app ecosystem. At the same time, Indian authorities are tightening their grip on international tech companies. The current case demonstrates how seriously antitrust regulators take enforcing their rules and what financial risks Apple could face if it fails to cooperate promptly.
Background of the antitrust proceedings against Apple
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from 2022. This complaint was filed by, among others, Match and several Indian startups. The allegations focus on Apple's conduct in the iOS app market and, in particular, the role of the App Store.
In 2024, following extensive investigations, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) concluded that Apple had abused its dominant market position. Based on this finding, the commission ordered the company to file formal objections to the investigation's findings and provide detailed financial information. This data is typically used to calculate potential fines.
Dispute over deadlines and financial details
Since this request, both sides have been embroiled in a legal battle. Apple has repeatedly requested extensions and has failed to provide either the requested objections or the complete financial information. According to the CCI, this situation has now been ongoing for more than a year.
A key point of contention is the potential size of the fine. Apple stated that it could face a penalty of up to $38 billion if the competition authority uses the company's global revenue as the basis for calculation. Apple denies the antitrust allegations and has challenged the relevant penalty rules in an Indian court. This case is still pending.
Following the challenge, Apple reportedly attempted to temporarily suspend the entire antitrust case until a court ruling. However, the CCI rejected this request and insisted on continuing the proceedings.
Final warning from the Competition Commission
As Reuters reports, the CCI issued a confidential order on December 31st sharply criticizing Apple's conduct. The order states that Apple repeatedly received extensions despite clear instructions, without taking any substantive action.
The Commission notes that this conduct undermines procedural discipline and hinders the timely conclusion of the antitrust proceedings. At the same time, it makes clear that this leniency cannot continue indefinitely. Apple received a final warning, requesting that it submit the requested documents and statements by the deadline.
If no response is received by the deadline, the CCI intends to pursue the case unilaterally and make its decisions without further involvement from Apple.
Apple risks escalation in Indian antitrust dispute
The report suggests that Apple intends to wait with a formal response until after a court hearing on January 27. It remains to be seen whether the competition commission will accept this wait.
It's clear that the situation for Apple in India is escalating. The antitrust authority is signaling unequivocally that further delays will no longer be tolerated. This not only brings a potential record fine closer, but also a fundamental decision on how Apple's App Store model will be handled in the Indian market. (Image: Shutterstock / foto_abstract)
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