Apple Accuses India Antitrust Watchdog of Overstepping Authority in App Store Case

Apple is formally accusing India's top antitrust regulator of overstepping its authority, arguing the agency is improperly demanding its financial records while the laws governing potential penalties are still being challenged in court.



A non-public April 24 court filing reviewed by Reuters sheds light on a growing confrontation between Apple and the Competition Commission of India. The dispute dates back to a 2021 complaint brought by a non-profit group related to the App Store and iPhone apps market, which later drew backing from other tech companies and local startups. Investigators eventually concluded Apple was abusing its market dominance. Now, the two sides are fighting over how any potential fine will actually be calculated.


Regulators want Apple's financial data to figure out the penalty, but Apple is pushing back. Earlier this year, the company asked a judge to block the probe entirely. Apple argues that it is challenging the law governing how penalties are calculated in a New Delhi court and that the regulator should wait for that process to play out. The company has warned it could face a penalty of up to $38 billion.

With Apple refusing to hand over the numbers, the CCI issued an ultimatum and scheduled a final hearing for May 21. In an order, the agency said Apple had been given adequate opportunities to file its objections but had not provided the required financial information. Apple's response was to ask the Delhi High Court for an urgent hearing on May 15. The company described the commission's move to proceed with a final hearing as an escalation designed to "usurp" the court's authority. Neither Apple nor the CCI offered comments to Reuters regarding the filing.

The regulatory fight lands at a sensitive time. Apple is leaning heavily on India for its broader supply chain shifts, assembling roughly 25 percent of all iPhones there to reduce its manufacturing dependence on China. The company is also gaining ground with local consumers. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple's share of the Indian smartphone market sits at 9 percent, up from 4 percent just two years ago. Apple has consistently argued that its single-digit market share pales in comparison to Google's Android, making the monopoly claims unwarranted.