Apple has agreed to submit its India-specific financial data to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), marking a breakthrough in a long-delayed antitrust investigation. The tech giant’s compliance moves the regulatory probe into its alleged App Store market abuse closer to a potential penalty phase.(Reuters)
The watchdog concluded a preliminary investigation in 2024, finding that Apple had exploited its dominant position in the iOS application marketplace by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app payment systems. While Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing and vowed to contest the findings, the company had previously refused to supply the detailed financial data typically required by the CCI to compute financial penalties.
According to a confidential regulatory order, Apple’s legal counsel requested a final extension during a hearing in late May to compile and file the necessary India-specific financial information. The commission granted the request, setting a firm deadline for the company to hand over the records.
The antitrust case represents a major regulatory hurdle for Apple in a crucial expansion market. Over the last five years, Apple has rapidly scaled up its domestic manufacturing and retail presence in India to diversify its supply chains away from China. Driven by local production, the iPhone’s share of the Indian smartphone market has surged to 9 percent, up from just 2 percent half a decade ago.
By securing access to Apple’s local revenue figures, the CCI now possesses the baseline metrics required to determine appropriate antitrust fines under Indian competition law. The regulatory body is expected to review the incoming financial disclosures before making a final determination on behavioral remedies and financial sanctions.
