India Refuses to Let Apple Pause App Store Antitrust Case

Source: MacRumors

Court Ruling

An Indian court has ruled that Apple must cooperate with a government investigation into its App Store practices, rejecting the company’s attempt to put the case on hold (via Reuters). The Delhi High Court decision keeps a probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) alive, which found in 2024 that Apple had abused its dominant position in the iPhone apps market.

The CCI wants Apple’s financial data to calculate potential penalties, but Apple has so far refused to hand it over. The court did not grant Apple the pause it sought, but it prevented the CCI from issuing a final ruling before July 15, giving the company some additional time. Apple also succeeded in having certain documents placed on the legal record, though the order did not specify what they were.

Apple’s Position

Apple’s argument is largely procedural. It is separately challenging the legality of India’s penalty framework in court and says the CCI should wait until that challenge is resolved. India’s updated competition law allows fines to be based on a company’s global revenue rather than just local earnings, which, given Apple’s scale, could mean enormous exposure.

Market Impact

India is one of Apple’s most important growth markets. Counterpoint Research puts the company’s iPhone market share there at 9 %, up from just 4 % two years ago. Apple has been ramping up iPhone manufacturing in the country through Foxconn and Tata as it reduces its dependence on China. A hostile regulatory environment, however, complicates that ambition.

• This article first appeared on MacRumors.com.