India's Competition Commission (CCI) has firmly rejected Apple's request to halt its antitrust investigation, signaling a push forward despite the company's legal challenges in the Delhi High Court. This development underscores escalating tensions in India's scrutiny of Big Tech dominance in app ecosystems. A confidential December 31, 2025, CCI order highlights Apple's repeated delays, prompting a final warning for compliance.
The antitrust probe originated in 2022 from complaints by Indian startups and Match Group (Tinder's owner), alleging Apple's abusive practices in the iOS app market, such as mandating its payment system and restricting alternatives. CCI investigators concluded in 2024 that Apple abused its dominant position through in-app purchase fees and developer restrictions. Apple denies wrongdoing, positioning itself as a minor player compared to Android's market share in India.
Apple challenged India's 2024 Competition Amendment Act in Delhi High Court in November 2025, arguing that using global turnover for penalties—potentially up to $38 billion (10% of average global services revenue)—is unconstitutional and disproportionate. The court has deferred hearings, with the next on January 27, 2026. In a December 31 order, CCI rejected Apple's bid to pause the entire probe, citing over a year of delays despite extensions granted since October 2024 for submitting objections and financial data.
Apple sought multiple extensions and a full stay, viewing the CCI order as preempting court proceedings, per sources. CCI criticized these as undermining "procedural discipline" and impeding timely resolution, warning of unilateral progression if unmet by the next deadline. No public comment from Apple yet, though it argues penalties should base on India-specific revenue from relevant divisions.
CCI's refusal emphasizes India's commitment to enforcing competition laws against global tech giants, independent of judicial reviews on penalties. This aligns with probes into Google and others, prioritizing deterrence in digital markets. For Apple, growing in India (15 million iPhones expected in 2025), fines or mandates could force App Store changes, boosting local developers but challenging its model amid global scrutiny.
India's actions reflect a global antitrust wave, differing from US/EU delays by advancing probes amid penalty disputes. Success could set precedents for turnover-based fines, pressuring Apple on compliance; failure might embolden delays elsewhere. With court hearings ongoing, expect intensified filings, potentially reshaping India's $100B+ app economy.
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