Apple says India's antitrust probe copied rivals' claims

Apple has accused India's antitrust regulator of building its case by copying allegations from rival companies rather than conducting an independent investigation, escalating a long-running legal battle over the tech giant's App Store practices. In a detailed submission filed on June 25, Apple asked the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to set aside its 2024 findings, which alleged the company abused its dominant position in the iOS app distribution market.

The case originated from complaints filed in 2021 by several digital businesses and app developers, including Match Group, Walmart-backed PhonePe, and Paytm. They argued Apple forces developers to use its proprietary in-app payment system, restricts alternative payment options, and charges commissions of up to 30 percent, thereby increasing costs and stifling competition. After a multi-year investigation, the CCI's Director General concluded in 2024 that Apple had engaged in abusive conduct.

Apple's new filing contends the investigation suffered from serious procedural and analytical flaws. The company claims investigators "blindly replicated" submissions from its competitors, often reproducing arguments and observations...