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Apple has intensified its legal battle with India’s competition regulator, accusing investigators of relying heavily on complaints from rival companies instead of carrying out an independent examination.
The technology company has asked for the investigation’s conclusions to be set aside, according to regulatory documents.
In a submission dated June 25, Apple argued that the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) investigative arm largely reproduced allegations made by competitors, including Match Group, PhonePe and Paytm, without adequately verifying the claims.
The filing represents the company’s strongest response yet in the ongoing antitrust case.
Last year, the CCI’s investigation concluded that Apple had abused its dominant position within the iOS app ecosystem by requiring developers to use its in-app payment service.
Apple has consistently rejected those allegations, maintaining that it accounts for less than six percent of India’s smartphone market and therefore lacks market dominance.
The iPhone maker warned that compelling it to alter the App Store’s operations would disrupt its integrated business model.
It also argued that imposing corrective measures or financial sanctions could create uncertainty for technology firms and discourage future investment in India’s digital sector.
Apple further alleged that investigators duplicated sections of submissions from complainants and even relied on material from a 2024 European Union decision involving the company without considering India’s unique market conditions.
The filing noted that both the EU ruling and the Indian investigation referenced data from Statista.
The CCI is expected to hold a closed-door hearing involving all parties on July 21.
Apple also claimed it was denied an opportunity to present oral evidence during the investigation, contrasting its treatment with Google’s Android antitrust proceedings, where the search giant was permitted to explain its business practices.
However, legal experts noted that Indian competition law does not require investigators to grant oral hearings if they believe sufficient evidence has already been gathered.
The regulator has previously accused Apple of delaying the proceedings by taking more than two years to respond to the investigation while simultaneously challenging aspects of India’s competition penalty framework.
Under the law, companies found guilty of violating competition rules can face penalties of up to 10 percent of their turnover over the preceding three years.
Apple said it has already submitted its relevant financial data for the 2022–2024 fiscal years, which could be used if penalties are calculated.
The company also urged the commission to consider its clean compliance record and highlighted that it has exported iPhones worth approximately $51 billion from India during the past five years.
The case comes as Apple expands manufacturing outside China, with India emerging as a major production hub.
According to Counterpoint Research, the country is projected to produce about 26 percent of the world’s iPhones in 2026, a sharp increase from just six percent four years earlier.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong