Apple Accuses India Antitrust Body of Copying Rivals' Claims

Apple has accused India's antitrust watchdog, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), of "copy-pasting" rivals' claims in the latest escalation of their ongoing legal battle.

Details of the Action

Regulatory papers reviewed by Reuters showed that Apple said the CCI failed to conduct its own probe after concluding the tech giant breached competition laws. In 2024, the watchdog published a report alleging Apple engaged in "abusive conduct" on its iOS app platform and wrongly mandated the use of its payment system.

Apple's Position

Apple has denied the allegations, branding itself a "minuscule player" in India with a sub-6% share of the smartphone market. The company warned that forced alterations to its App Store could disrupt its integrated business model. Apple has called for the findings to be quashed.

Precedents and Context

This is the sharpest move yet in Apple's conflict with the CCI, where opponents include Tinder-owner Match and Indian firms like Paytm. Similar arguments by other big companies, such as Alphabet's Google in 2023, have failed to sway the watchdog.

Potential Financial Impact

The CCI and its head of investigations did not respond to Reuters queries, nor did Apple. The case is expected to continue through legal channels, and any potential penalties could force changes to Apple's business model in India, though the direct financial impact remains unclear.