The dispute dates back to a 2021 case filed by Indian non-profit Together We Fight Society (TWFS), which accused Apple of misusing its dominance in the app store market..reports Asian Lite News
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed Apple’s plea to withhold an investigation report that alleges the company violated competition laws, allowing the case to progress, Reuters reported.
The dispute dates back to a 2021 case filed by Indian non-profit Together We Fight Society (TWFS), which accused Apple of misusing its dominance in the app store market on its iOS platform to harm app developers, users, and payment processors. Apple denies these claims, asserting that it is a minor player in India, where Google’s Android dominates the smartphone market.
In August, CCI recalled the probe report following Apple’s complaints that confidential commercial information was improperly disclosed to rivals, including Tinder-owner Match. The regulator issued revised reports but instructed involved parties to return and destroy the previous copies. However, Apple contended in November that TWFS had not complied with these directives. Apple further demanded the CCI take action against TWFS for non-compliance and suspend the revised report.
In its November 13 internal order, CCI rejected Apple’s request to put the investigation report on hold, calling the demand “untenable.” The regulator also required Apple to submit its audited financial statements for the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. These will help determine potential monetary penalties under regulatory guidelines.
The revised investigation report alleges that Apple leveraged its market position to disadvantage competitors. Senior CCI officials are set to review the report before issuing a final ruling.
Neither Apple nor TWFS responded to requests for comment, and CCI did not provide statements outside of business hours. As the case unfolds, it highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Apple’s business practices in India, amid broader global regulatory challenges.
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