Apple is reportedly facing an accelerated regulatory review in India after allegedly failing to provide requested data to the country’s antitrust authority during an ongoing investigation into its business practices.
According to the report, India’s competition regulator is examining Apple’s market behavior, particularly around how it operates its ecosystem, including the App Store and its control over app distribution and payments on iOS devices. As part of this probe, the authority had requested specific data from Apple, but the company has not fully submitted the information requested.
Because of this lack of compliance, regulators are now considering moving the case forward more quickly, which could lead to potential penalties or enforcement actions depending on the findings.
The situation is part of broader global scrutiny Apple is facing over its App Store policies and control over its platform. In several markets, including the European Union and the United States, regulators have raised similar concerns about competition, developer restrictions, and fees.
In India, the outcome could be particularly important given the country’s rapidly growing smartphone market. Any regulatory decision may influence how Apple operates its services there going forward, especially if changes are required to its App Store rules or business model.
India’s antitrust scrutiny of Apple is intensifying, with regulators now moving toward a faster decision after ongoing delays in the company’s response to information requests.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) previously published a 2024 report concluding that Apple abused its dominant position in the apps market by requiring developers to use its own in-app purchase system. The investigation dates back to 2021, when a non-profit group filed a complaint challenging Apple’s App Store practices.
Apple has consistently denied wrongdoing, arguing that it holds only a minor share of the Indian smartphone market. However, that position may be weakening as iPhone usage in India has grown significantly in recent years, rising to about 9% market share from roughly 4% two years ago, according to Counterpoint Research.
Reuters reports that the CCI recently noted Apple has not provided requested financial details or submitted its formal response to the investigation since October 2024. Apple has instead pointed to a separate legal challenge in the Delhi High Court, where it is contesting India’s antitrust penalty framework. The company has also argued that using global turnover to calculate fines could result in penalties as high as $38 billion, which it describes as disproportionate and unconstitutional.
In March, Apple asked the CCI to pause its proceedings until the court case is resolved, but the regulator rejected the request, suggesting Apple may be attempting to delay the investigation.
The CCI has now given Apple an additional two weeks to submit its response and has scheduled a final hearing for May 21, signaling that the case is moving toward a decisive stage.