Apple has reportedly agreed to submit the financial details of its India operations to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). This significant development is expected to accelerate a protracted antitrust case against the iPhone maker, potentially paving the way for a penalty decision.
According to a Reuters report, a confidential CCI order from May indicated that Apple consented to provide its India-specific financial information. This marks a crucial step in one of Apple’s most substantial regulatory challenges within India, a market where the company has seen rapid expansion in both iPhone sales and manufacturing.
Antitrust Investigation Details
The case originated from a CCI investigation that concluded in 2024. The watchdog determined that Apple had abused its dominant position within the market for apps on iPhones. Apple, however, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and stated its intention to challenge these findings.
The company had previously resisted submitting comprehensive financial data, arguing that the case should be put on hold while it contested India's revised antitrust penalty framework. Apple contended that this framework allowed regulators to calculate fines based on global revenue rather than solely on revenue generated within India. The CCI reportedly sought global financial details, which Apple suggested could expose it to a penalty as high as $38 billion.
The competition regulator has repeatedly rejected Apple's argument, maintaining that its initial request was specifically for India's financial data. The CCI has also accused Apple of attempting to delay proceedings through various parallel legal challenges.
Timeline and Complainants
The antitrust case was initially filed in 2021 by a coalition of entities, including a non-profit organization, Match Group (owner of Tinder), and the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), which represents numerous Indian startups. These complainants raised concerns regarding Apple’s App Store policies, particularly its in-app payment system.
Investigation findings, as cited by Reuters, indicated that Apple's App Store functioned as an "unavoidable trading partner" for app developers, preventing them from utilizing third-party payment services for in-app purchases. During a hearing on May 21, Apple’s legal counsel requested a "final extension" until June 25 to file its India-specific financial information, a request that the commission granted.
At the same hearing, ADIF urged the regulator to prevent any further delays in the proceedings. Apple has also been instructed to submit any objections it may have to the investigation report.