Apple is reportedly seeking to overturn India's findings in its antitrust case against the App Store, arguing that investigators simply "copied" allegations from its competitors rather than conducting their own investigation. The move comes as the company faces increasing pressure from regulators in various markets around the world as its practices come under scrutiny for potential abusive behavior.
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Apple is accusing the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of failing to properly investigate allegations that the company abused its control over the App Store and integrated payments, according to a new report from Reuters. Apple argues that the CCI failed to conduct an independent analysis and instead relied on submissions from competitors such as Match , Walmart 's Indian payments app , PhonePe , and Indian rival Paytm .
This argument highlights Apple's concern that the charges are not based on objective data but on the interests of competitors seeking to limit its influence in the market.
Apple also accuses CCI of "blindly" reproducing a chart from a 2024 EU ruling, "even though India faced different market conditions," Reuters reported. The report suggests that CCI may not have taken into account the specificities of the Indian market, which differs significantly from the European one in terms of consumer behavior and technological infrastructure.
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In this antitrust investigation, Apple and CCI have been engaged in a long-running dispute that touches not only on the case and its findings, but also on the maximum fine to which the company will be subject. CCI argues that any fine can be calculated based on Apple's global turnover, while Apple argues that it should be limited to the company's relevant revenue in India. This point is crucial, as the difference in the calculation of the fine can have significant financial consequences for the company.
The report notes that Apple is taking a similar approach to the one Alphabet used during its own antitrust battle with the CCI over Android. Similar arguments from other major companies have failed to convince the CCI. In 2023, Alphabet’s Google argued in its antitrust case that the CCI order risked stunting its growth, but the company was later forced to make changes to the way it promoted its Android operating system, which dominates the Indian smartphone market.
The report also notes that Apple's submission describes the company as a 'tiny player' in India and warns that imposing changes to the App Store 'would create regulatory uncertainty and could deter investment in India's digital economy.' This statement underscores Apple's strategy to portray itself as a smaller player in the Indian market, trying to reduce the perception of its influence and avoid harsh regulatory penalties.
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The case is indicative of the challenges facing tech giants globally as regulators step up efforts to control their influence in markets. The outcome of the case in India could have broader implications for Apple, as well as other companies operating in similar contexts, influencing their strategies and investments in emerging markets.
