CCI Confirms Anti-Competitive Practices In Apple’s App Store Probe
The tech giant had also faced regulatory scrutiny in the European Union;
By: : Ajay Singh
Update: 2025-01-03 17:30 GMT
CCI Confirms Anti-Competitive Practices In Apple’s App Store Probe
The tech giant had also faced regulatory scrutiny in the European Union
Following an investigation, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has confirmed the anti-competitive practices of Apple in its App Store operations, though it is yet to deliver the verdict.
Meanwhile, the antitrust body has shared its confidential investigation report with the tech giant and Apple Distribution International Ltd to allow them to prepare their defence.
Initiated in December 2021, the probe focused on allegations that Apple abused its dominant position in the iOS app store market. It also investigated claims that Apple forced developers to use its in-app purchase system, charging fees of up to 30 percent.
The policy affected app developers, users, and payment processors.
However, after the CCI's two reports in 2022 and 2024, Apple raised concerns in August last alleging the initial investigation report disclosed the company’s confidential commercial data.
This prompted the CCI to recall the reports, issue revised versions, and order the original documents’ destruction.
Apple later accused the complainant, Together We Fight Society (TWFS), of failing to comply with the destruction order and sought action against it while requesting a hold on the revised reports. But terming it ‘untenable’, the CCI dismissed Apple's request.
In November, the competition regulator rejected Apple's plea to pause the investigation report, allowing the case to move forward.
It fined Meta $25.4 million and directed WhatsApp not to share user data for advertising purposes with its parent company or other Meta-owned apps for five years.
Apple faced similar regulatory scrutiny in the European Union.
Early last year, the European Commission fined the company over 1.8 billion euros for "abusing its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iPhone and iPad users through its App Store."