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India Court Orders Apple to Cooperate in Antitrust Probe Amid Ongoing Legal Challenge

By  |  May 18, 2026
Apple

Apple has been ordered by India’s Delhi High Court to fully cooperate with an ongoing antitrust investigation into its practices in the iPhone applications market, marking a significant development in the company’s expanding regulatory challenges across global markets.

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    The court order, posted on the court’s website on Saturday, directed the technology giant to continue complying with requests from India’s Competition Commission of India (CCI), according to a statement issued through the court record. The ruling rejects Apple’s attempt to temporarily halt the proceedings while it contests the legal framework used by Indian authorities to calculate antitrust penalties.

    At the same time, the court granted Apple limited interim relief by instructing the CCI not to issue a final order in the matter before July 15, according to a statement contained in the court order.

    The investigation stems from findings made by the CCI in 2024, when regulators concluded that Apple may have abused its dominant position within the iPhone app ecosystem. Since then, investigators have sought financial information from the company that could be used in determining any potential penalties.

    Apple has resisted those requests, arguing that it is already challenging the legality of India’s antitrust penalty framework and that the regulator should wait for that matter to be resolved before moving ahead. The company has denied any wrongdoing, according to a statement tied to its legal submissions.

    Related: Apple Challenges Indian Competition Regulator Over Financial Data Demand in Antitrust Case

    The case carries significant weight for Apple as India continues to emerge as one of its most important growth markets. The company has been expanding both its retail presence and manufacturing operations in the country as demand for premium smartphones increases.

    According to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s iPhone market share in India has climbed to roughly 9%, up from about 4% two years ago. That growth makes the outcome of the regulatory proceedings particularly important for Apple’s long-term strategy in the region.

    The India case also adds to a growing list of antitrust pressures facing Apple globally, including enforcement actions under Europe’s Digital Markets Act and similar scrutiny in other major jurisdictions. Industry observers say the outcome could shape how regulators worldwide approach complaints involving app store policies, developer commissions, and control over digital ecosystems.

    The latest court order underscores the broader tension between global technology platforms and national regulators seeking to address what they view as anti-competitive behavior in increasingly influential digital marketplaces.

    Source: Mac Daily News