India’s Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed Apple’s request to withhold a revised investigation report that accuses the company of breaching competition laws. The decision allows the antitrust case to proceed, which could lead to monetary penalties.
The investigation stems from allegations lodged by Together We Fight Society (TWFS), an Indian non-profit, dating back to 2021. TWFS claimed Apple abused its dominant position in the app store market on its iOS platform to the detriment of developers, users, and alternative payment systems.
The CCI’s findings align with these claims, pointing to anti-competitive practices, reports Reuters.
However, Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that it holds only a minor share in India’s smartphone market, predominantly dominated by Google’s Android system.
In August, Apple raised concerns that the CCI’s original investigation report contained sensitive commercial information that had been improperly disclosed to competitors, including Match Group, the company behind Tinder.
The regulator recalled the initial reports, asked all parties to return them and destroy any copies, and subsequently issued revised reports.
In its November plea, Apple alleged that TWFS was non-compliant with the directive to destroy old reports and requested that the revised report be put on hold until the issue was addressed. However, in a November 13 internal order, the CCi rejected this request, stating that Apple’s argument lacked merit.
The CCI has now directed Apple to submit audited financial statements for fiscal years 2010-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. These documents are crucial for determining potential financial penalties. Senior officials at the CCi are expected to review the investigation findings and make a final ruling in the coming months.
The ruling adds to the legal challenges Apple faces globally over its app store policies. While India is a relatively small market for the company compared to the U.S. or Europe, any adverse decision could influence the regulatory landscape and consumer trust.
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