Apple Hits Roadblock in India as Regulator Pushes Ahead with Antitrust Report

Despite Apple's efforts to halt an investigation into its business practices in India, the country's antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has decided to continue its probe, according to an internal order from the regulator seen by Reuters.

The CCI's investigation, which began in 2021, scrutinizes Apple's dominance in the app store market through its iOS operating system. The inquiry suggests that Apple may have violated competition laws by disadvantaging app developers, users, and other payment processors due to its market position.

Earlier, Apple had raised concerns that the CCI disclosed sensitive commercial information to rivals, including Match, the parent company of Tinder, in its initial investigation report.

This report, Apple argued, contained details that should have been kept confidential. In response, Apple requested the CCI to sanction those responsible for the oversight and to retain the revised report. However, the CCI, in an order dated November 13, dismissed Apple's requests, stating that holding the investigation report "in abeyance was deemed untenable."

Apple, when approached for comments by Reuters, chose not to respond. Further complicating matters for Apple, the CCI's ongoing investigation uncovered evidence suggesting that Apple might have abused its dominant market position.

This abuse reportedly affected app developers, users, and payment processors negatively by restricting competition within the app store ecosystem on iOS devices.

As part of the regulatory process, Apple has been instructed to provide its audited financial statements for the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. These documents are crucial for the CCI to assess any potential financial penalties that may be imposed on Apple should the investigation conclude against the company.

The final decision on the matter will rest with the CCI's senior officials, who will review the investigation report in detail before making a ruling.

Via

Best Mobiles in India