Apple Accuses Indian Antitrust Body CCI of Using Rival Claims in Probe
Apple has accused India's antitrust watchdog of "copy-pasting" competitor claims in an ongoing probe into its App Store practices. Seeking to quash the findings, Apple argues it is a minor player in India and warned that forced changes could harm the nation's digital economy and investment.
Apple has formally accused the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of "copy-pasting" allegations from its competitors and failing to conduct an independent investigation into claims that the company breached antitrust laws. In a submission dated 25 June, the tech giant challenged the investigation's conclusions, which alleged that Apple engaged in "abusive conduct" regarding its App Store payment mandates and iOS platform policies.
As per a report by Reuters, Apple argues that the CCI investigation relied heavily on verbatim submissions from rivals such as Match Group, PhonePe, and Paytm, rather than undertaking its own critical analysis. The company further claimed that investigators replicated data from a 2024 European Union ruling against Apple, failing to account for the unique market conditions within India. Netflix Login New Rules: Users Can Now Link Separate Emails to Shared Profiles.
Business Model and Market Position
Apple maintains that it is a "minuscule player" in the Indian smartphone market, holding a share of less than 6%. The company warned that any forced alterations to its App Store model could disrupt its integrated business operations, create regulatory uncertainty, and deter further investment in India's digital economy.
The submission also highlights Apple's growing significance to India’s manufacturing sector. With the country projected to produce 26% of global iPhone supply in 2026, the company emphasised its "unblemished record" and its contribution of $51 billion in iPhone exports over the last five years as key mitigating factors should the CCI consider imposing financial penalties.
Procedural Disputes and Future Hearings
Beyond the substance of the antitrust claims, Apple has accused the CCI of procedural unfairness, stating that the company was never granted an opportunity to record oral evidence or defend its business model during the probe. The watchdog, however, has previously accused Apple of stalling the case for over two years by delaying responses to investigation findings. Are WhatsApp Users at Risk? Here's What CERT-In Advised to Keep Your Account Safe.
The legal standoff is set to escalate on 21 July, when senior officials from the CCI are scheduled to hold a closed-door hearing with all parties involved. This case represents a significant test for Apple as it faces global antitrust scrutiny while simultaneously expanding its critical manufacturing footprint within India.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 07:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
