Apple Challenges India Antitrust Probe, Says CCI Copied Rivals’ Claims in App Store Case

Apple has intensified its legal battle with India’s antitrust regulator, arguing that investigators relied on "copy-pasted" allegations from rivals instead of conducting an independent review in a case that could reshape the company’s App Store operations in one of its fastest-growing markets.

According to regulatory documents reviewed by Reuters, Apple submitted a filing on June 25 asking the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to dismiss the investigation’s findings. The company claims the watchdog’s Director General largely reproduced complaints from competitors, including Match Group, PhonePe, and Paytm, without independently verifying the evidence.

The dispute stems from a 2024 investigation in which the CCI concluded that Apple abused its dominant position on the iOS App Store by requiring developers to use its own payment system. Apple has strongly denied the allegations, arguing that it holds less than 6% of India’s smartphone market and therefore cannot be considered dominant.

In its submission, Apple warned that forcing changes to the App Store ecosystem would disrupt its integrated business model and create regulatory uncertainty that could discourage future investments in India’s digital economy. The company also opposed any financial penalties or behavioral remedies that would require it to alter its App Store policies.

Apple further argued that investigators failed to provide the company with an opportunity to present oral testimony during the investigation, unlike Google's earlier antitrust proceedings in India, where the tech giant was reportedly allowed to explain its business model before regulators.

Reuters reported that Apple included comparison tables in its filing to demonstrate similarities between the CCI investigation report and submissions made by rival companies. The company also alleged that investigators replicated graphics and references from a 2024 European Union ruling against Apple, despite significant differences between the Indian and European markets.

The CCI has not publicly responded to Apple's latest claims, while Match Group, Paytm, and PhonePe also declined to comment. A closed-door hearing involving all parties is scheduled for July 21, where senior CCI officials will review the case.

The Indian regulator has accused Apple of delaying the proceedings for more than two years by challenging aspects of the country's antitrust penalty framework and taking additional legal steps before responding to the investigation.

If the CCI ultimately rules against Apple, the company could face fines of up to 10% of its relevant turnover under Indian competition law. Apple has already submitted its India revenue figures for fiscal years 2022 through 2024 for potential penalty calculations, while emphasizing its clean compliance history.

Apple also highlighted its growing contribution to India's economy, noting that it has exported approximately $51 billion worth of iPhones from the country over the past five years. As Apple continues diversifying manufacturing beyond China, India has become a critical production hub, with Counterpoint Research projecting the country will manufacture about 26% of global iPhones in 2026, up from just 6% four years earlier.

The outcome of the CCI case could have significant implications for Apple's App Store policies in India and may influence how global regulators approach competition issues involving major technology companies.