Apple makes India withdraw its antitrust accusations

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone

India's antitrust regulator is backtracking from its accusations against Apple and the App Store because of a legal technicality.

Blue square app icon with a stylized white 'A' on a wooden surface and a light background.
India says Apple has abused its dominant market share of iOS apps
In 2021

, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) began its investigation following a company from a group called "Together We Fight Society," regarding App Store fees and rules. In July 2024, the CCI announced that it had concluded that Apple has "significant influence" over digital products and services.

The CCI said this in a 142-page report which referred to how "app developers have no choice but to adhere to Apple's unfair terms." Crucially, however, the full report was not released publicly -- but it is the reason Apple was able to get the CCI to withdraw its accusation.

For according to Bloomberg, Apple has claimed that the report contains what it describes as privileged and sensitive information. That is clearly sufficient to mean the report won't be released more widely than other regulators, but reportedly it's more significant than the CCI having to redact some portions.

Apple's complaint about privileged information came during the post-investigation stage where the accused is able to respond ahead of India deciding whether or not to levy fines. India now won't proceed to the fines stage, and reportedly it's possible that it may even have to restart the investigation.

Neither the CCI nor Apple have commented. However during the investigation, Apple also objected by saying that its market share in India is an "insignificant" one, not exceeding 5%.

While the iPhone has far from dominated India's consumer market, the country's manufacturing sector is increasingly responsible for producing the smartphone. Figures from April 2024 say that 14% of all iPhones sold around the world are now manufactured in India.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,519member
    However during the investigation, Apple also objected by saying that its market share in India is an "insignificant" one, not exceeding 5%.
    This is certainly an extreme example, but we keep seeing in multiple jurisdictions where Apple's share of any reasonably defined market falls well short of 'monopoly' yet they get hit with anti-trust action. 

    I can understand people around the world wanting to do something about income and wealth inequality. But the solution is to tax the rich, not interfere with the operation of successful companies making products that people want. 
    jas99baconstangwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 6
    tundraboytundraboy Posts: 1,908member
    Ridiculous.  Investigating a company who has a minuscule market share for possible antitrust violations.
    blastdoorjas99baconstangwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 6
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,639member
    Talk about biting the hand that feeds you...
    baconstangwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 6
    VictorMortimerVictorMortimer Posts: 236member
    That's unfortunate.

    Hopefully India will be able to keep the case going, Apple needs a serious smackdown in EVERY country.
  • Reply 5 of 6
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,141member
    India wants to get in line to extort $$$ from Apple?
    The should think twice about that.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 6
    chadbagchadbag Posts: 2,023member
    VictorMortimer said:
    That's unfortunate.

    Hopefully India will be able to keep the case going, Apple needs a serious smackdown in EVERY country.
    lol.  😂 🤣🤣🤣🤣😂
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