India Issues Final Warning to Apple in Antitrust Case
India has delivered a final warning to Apple. The country's competition regulator says it will move forward with an antitrust case against the American technology giant. This decision comes after Apple repeatedly delayed its responses to officials for more than a year. The company's actions have undermined the investigation, according to a confidential order.
Apple's Fear of Massive Fine
Apple has expressed serious concerns about the potential financial impact. The company fears it could face a penalty of up to $38 billion. This staggering amount is based on India's competition watchdog using Apple's global turnover to calculate fines. The investigation found that Apple abused its dominant position on its iOS app store.
Apple strongly denies all allegations of wrongdoing. The company has challenged India's penalty calculation rules in court. That legal challenge is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.
Watchdog Rejects Apple's Request to Pause Case
While the court continues to hear Apple's challenge, a confidential order from December 31 reveals new details. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) document shows Apple privately requested to pause the entire antitrust case. Apple wanted the investigation halted while the penalty-rules dispute remains before the court.
The CCI firmly rejected Apple's request. The regulator decided to proceed with the case despite the ongoing court proceedings about penalty calculations.
Repeated Delays and Investigation Findings
The competition watchdog explained its position clearly. In October 2024, the CCI asked Apple to file formal objections to the investigation's findings. Officials also requested financial details typically used to assess penalties.
Since that request, Apple has received what the CCI calls "repeated extensions." The company has delayed its response for over a year, frustrating investigators. Apple did not respond to recent queries about the situation.
Investigators completed their report in 2024. The document states that Apple engaged in what they term "abusive conduct" within the iOS apps market. The findings form the basis of the antitrust case now moving forward.
This development marks a significant escalation in India's scrutiny of major technology companies. The case could have substantial implications for how global tech firms operate within India's digital marketplace.
