Apple has sharply escalated its legal fight with India's antitrust regulator, accusing investigators of "copy-pasting" allegations made by rival companies rather than conducting an independent investigation into the iPhone maker's App Store practices.
The accusations, contained in a submission to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), mark Apple's strongest public challenge yet to a years-long antitrust case that could lead to significant financial penalties and force changes to how the company operates its App Store in one of the world's fastest-growing digital markets.
According to regulatory documents reviewed by Reuters, Apple argued that investigators relied extensively on complaints submitted by competitors, including Match Group, Walmart-backed PhonePe, and Indian fintech company Paytm. The company claimed the regulator failed to independently verify those allegations before concluding that Apple violated India's competition laws.
"The DG (Director General) made no effort whatsoever to independently verify or critically assess these statements, often parroting them verbatim," Apple said in its filing, according to the outlet. The company asked the CCI to dismiss the investigation's findings entirely.
The case stems from a long-running investigation into Apple's App Store policies. In 2024, investigators concluded that Apple engaged in "abusive conduct" by requiring developers using its iOS platform to utilize Apple's proprietary in-app payment system, a practice critics argue limits competition and increases costs for developers.
Apple has consistently denied the allegations, arguing that its position in India differs dramatically from its market share in many Western countries. In its latest filing, the company described itself as a "minuscule player" with less than 6% of India's smartphone market, where devices running Google's Android operating system overwhelmingly dominate sales.
The iPhone maker also warned that forcing changes to its App Store policies could have broader consequences beyond the legal dispute. Apple argued that mandatory changes to its integrated App Store ecosystem would disrupt its carefully designed business model and create uncertainty for technology companies investing in India. The filing stated that regulatory intervention "could deter investments in India's digital economy" if the proposed remedies are imposed.
The Competition Commission of India has not publicly responded to Apple's latest allegations. Reuters reported that neither the regulator nor its investigative officials commented on the company's claims. Representatives for Match Group, PhonePe, and Paytm also did not respond to requests for comment.
Apple's latest filing follows several months of legal wrangling over the investigation. In May, an Indian court ordered the company to fully cooperate with the CCI's probe while allowing certain legal challenges regarding potential penalties to continue. Earlier this month, Apple also agreed to submit financial information related to its India business, a step viewed as necessary for regulators to calculate possible fines if violations are ultimately confirmed.
The antitrust proceedings are expected to move forward with a closed-door hearing scheduled for July 21, where Apple, regulators, and opposing parties will present their arguments before the commission considers its next steps. Under India's competition laws, companies found guilty of anti-competitive conduct can face substantial financial penalties and be required to alter their business practices.
