The conflict between Apple and Indian competition authorities is developing into one of the most significant antitrust cases in the technology sector. At its heart is a potential fine of up to $38 billion for allegedly anti-competitive practices in the App Store. While India insists on a strict application of its competition law, Apple is attempting to significantly mitigate the legal and financial consequences.
This case illustrates how difficult it has become for national regulators to deal with global tech companies. India aims to exert a deterrent effect even on multinational corporations. Apple, on the other hand, argues that national violations should not be penalized with global revenues. These opposing positions have shaped the legal battle that has been ongoing for years.
Start of the investigation against Apple
Back in 2021, the Competition Commission of India launched an investigation against Apple. This was triggered by a complaint from the organization "Together We Fight Society." The accusation was that Apple was abusing its dominant position in the App Store and disadvantaging app developers and competitors.
Following several years of investigation, the CCI concluded in July 2024 that Apple exerts a significant influence on digital services and products. This assessment forms the basis for potential sanctions for antitrust violations.
Apple's resistance to the calculation of the penalty
Since the CCI's findings, Apple has been attempting to challenge the investigation's results legally. At the same time, the company is trying to limit the size of any potential fine. According to Reuters reports, Apple filed a motion for intervention with a New Delhi court in November 2025.
The core of the argument is the Indian law governing the calculation of antitrust fines. This law stipulates that fines are based on a company's global revenue. Apple considers this regulation disproportionate, as the alleged violations relate exclusively to India. According to the company, this could result in fines that are completely out of proportion to the Indian market.
The competition authority clearly rejected the proposal
Neither Apple's full objections nor the CCI's official response have been made public. However, court documents dated December 15, 2025, indicate that the competition authority rejected Apple's arguments.
The CCI emphasizes that the law was deliberately aligned with international standards. The aim is to ensure genuine deterrence in complex, digital, and cross-border markets. The agency believes that if penalties were calculated solely based on revenue generated in India, they would have little effect on large multinational companies.
India therefore takes the position that only a calculation based on worldwide turnover is suitable to effectively sanction antitrust violations.
Dispute over financial data and allegations of deception
It remains unclear on which other points Apple and the CCI disagree, as the full lawsuit is not publicly available. The CCI states that it only requested India-specific financial data from Apple. At the same time, it accuses the company of misleading the courts on this issue.
Apple disputes this account. According to the company, significantly more extensive data was requested, extending beyond India. This is precisely why there is a risk of a fine of up to 38 billion US dollars.
Retroactive application of the law as a further point of contention
Another point of contention concerns the law on calculating fines, which came into effect in November 2024. Apple accuses the CCI of applying this law retroactively and therefore unlawfully.
Here too, the competition authority rejects the accusations. In a statement, it explains that clarifying regulations may apply retroactively, as they merely clarify the legislator's original intention.
A years-long antitrust case
The actual antitrust case is now in its fifth year. In July 2024, the CCI published a report accusing Apple of specific antitrust violations. However, this report was withdrawn just one month later.
Apple had argued that the report contained confidential and sensitive information, the publication of which was unlawful. How the CCI internally addressed this issue is unknown. However, in January 2025, it was reported that the agency remained prepared to prosecute Apple for anti-competitive practices.
Nevertheless, Apple managed to further delay the proceedings. In November 2025, India rejected the company's requests to permanently withhold the report. To this day, neither the final report nor the final fine has been published, even though the CCI had originally intended to conclude the case a year earlier.
Next legal stage in the dispute between India and Apple
The Delhi High Court will next hear the case concerning the calculation of the fines on January 27, 2026. This decision is likely to be groundbreaking, not only for Apple, but also for India's dealings with other global tech companies.
This case already demonstrates how rigorously India intends to enforce its competition laws and how strongly Apple is fighting against a potential billion-dollar fine. The final amount of the fine, or even whether it will be imposed at all, remains to be seen. (Image: Shutterstock / Santhosh Varghese)
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