The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has denied Apple’s request to halt an investigation report that accused the tech giant of breaching competition laws. The decision allows the case, which dates back to 2021, to progress despite Apple’s concerns about commercial secrets being accessed by competitors. This move marks another chapter in Apple’s legal battles in India, where its dominance in the app store market has come under scrutiny.
Apple’s initial objection arose when the CCI’s investigation reports allegedly disclosed sensitive commercial information to other parties, including competitors like Match Group, the parent company of Tinder. In response, the CCI ordered a recall of the original reports in August, directing parties to return them and destroy any copies. Revised versions of the reports were then issued to continue the investigation.
In November, Apple raised new concerns, accusing the primary complainant, Indian non-profit Together We Fight Society (TWFS), of not complying with the CCI’s directives. Apple alleged that TWFS had failed to confirm the destruction of the original reports, which Apple argued could still be misused. The company requested the CCI to take action against TWFS and to withhold the revised investigation report.
However, the regulator dismissed Apple’s request, deeming it “untenable,” as noted in an internal order dated November 13. The rejection underscores the CCI’s stance on maintaining the momentum of the investigation despite Apple’s attempts to delay proceedings.
The CCI’s investigation has accused Apple of leveraging its dominant position in the iOS app store market to disadvantage app developers, users, and alternative payment processors. While Apple denies these allegations, claiming it is a relatively minor player in India’s smartphone market dominated by Android devices, the regulator has found otherwise.
The ongoing case could result in significant monetary penalties, with Apple being directed to submit audited financial statements for the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. These financial disclosures will aid the CCI in determining potential fines for the alleged antitrust violations.
With Apple’s objections overruled, the investigation is moving forward. Senior officials at the CCI will now review the revised investigation report and make a final ruling on the case. The decision could have far-reaching implications for Apple’s operations in India, especially in light of the regulator’s findings that suggest Apple’s practices harmed competition and consumers alike.
This development highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by global tech giants in India, as the country’s regulators seek to enforce fair competition practices in a rapidly growing digital economy.
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CCI rejects Apple’s request to hold antitrust report fearing rivals may access commercial secrets
