India set to investigate Apple over antitrust accusation

AppleInsider

A non-profit organization in India's Rajasthan region has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple and the App Store, which is expected to lead to a full investigation.

Apple CEO Tim Cook on a visit to India in 2016

Apple has been accused in India of abusing its market position to force developers to use its in-app payment system. It's a similar accusation to the current investigation by the European Union. It also follows South Korea voting to force Apple and Google to allow alternatives, if they want to continue operating in that country.

According to Reuters, the complaint has been filed to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). It comes from the non-profit organization called "Together We Fight Society."

The group issued a statement to Reuters saying that the complaint was filed in the interest of protecting Indian consumers and startups.

"Together We Fight Society" does not appear to have an online presence, nor filed any previous complaints in any issue. Other than it being based in Rajasthan, there are no details of its organization or members, and under Indian law the group's complaint is confidential.

Nonetheless, Reuters reports that a source familiar with the matter says the complaint is expected to lead to a full investigation by the CCI.

"There are high chances that an investigation can be ordered, also because the EU has been probing this," said the unidentified source.

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KTR

Here we go again 🤦‍♂️

lkrupp

KTR said:

Here we go again 🤦‍♂️

No doubt whatsoever now that this is a global, coordinated, campaign against Apple. But who is behind it? Who’s funding it? Are AppleInsider journalists not working on this?

Kuyangkoh

Now what? Let’s say Apple agreed then nobody buys them because of security issues or charges  more? Are they forcing us to buy?? Apple can charge a few cents less and they have deep pockets…Go ahead Apple make their day….hahaha

mcdave

So a group of defiant little boys defying. A very common occurrence, almost as if it’s a social artefact 🤔

mcdave

Presumably they’ll be applying those same anti-trust regulations to prevent software developers distributing through only one store otherwise the exercise has simply transferred ’monopoly’ power abuse from Apple to the developers. In fact, it should force developers to make their apps available through all stores.

viclauyyc

When Apple started to charge $10000 per developer license, I wonder what will these people say