India’s Competition Commission (CCI) has denied Apple Inc.’s request to halt an ongoing antitrust investigation report, citing the request as “untenable,” according to an internal order reported by Reuters. The decision allows the regulatory investigation to proceed, intensifying scrutiny of Apple’s app store practices on its iOS platform.
The case originated in 2021 when the nonprofit Together We Fight Society (TWFS) accused Apple of abusing its dominant position in the app store market to harm app developers, users, and payment processors. Apple has repeatedly denied these allegations, maintaining that it is a “small player” in India, where Google’s Android system dominates the market.
In August 2024, the CCI ordered a recall of investigation reports after Apple alleged that sensitive commercial information had been improperly disclosed to competitors, including Match Group, the parent company of Tinder. Following this, the CCI instructed all involved parties to return and destroy the reports before issuing revised versions.
However, Apple claimed earlier this month that TWFS failed to comply with these directives to destroy the original investigation reports. In a letter dated November 13, Apple requested the CCI to “take action against TWFS for non-compliance” and “withhold the revised report.” Despite these assertions, the CCI rejected Apple’s plea, stating that the investigation process would continue unimpeded.
The CCI has demanded Apple submit its audited financial statements for fiscal years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 to assess potential monetary penalties. Senior officials at the commission will review the findings and determine whether sanctions are warranted.
This ongoing antitrust scrutiny coincides with Apple’s expanding presence in India, highlighted by the launch of its first wholly owned subsidiary, Apple Operations India, earlier this month to bolster research and development capabilities in the region.
Apple has not commented on the latest developments, while the CCI and TWFS were unavailable for immediate response. A final ruling is expected in the coming months, potentially setting a precedent for regulating global tech giants in India.
