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India’s Antitrust Regulator Moves Toward Penalty Decision in Apple Case

By  |  April 20, 2026

India’s competition watchdog is accelerating its proceedings against Apple after the company failed to submit key financial data required for determining potential penalties, according to Reuters. The development marks a significant step forward in a long-running antitrust case involving the U.S. tech giant’s practices in the iPhone app ecosystem.

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    In an April 8 order, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) stated that Apple has not provided financial details or formally responded to findings from an earlier investigation since October 2024, per Reuters. Instead, the company has pointed to a separate legal challenge it has filed in the Delhi High Court, where it is contesting the country’s broader antitrust penalty framework.

    The CCI typically relies on financial disclosures from companies to calculate fines when violations are established. The regulator noted that Apple had “been afforded adequate opportunities to file” its objections and had also “not submitted the requisite financial information.”

    Apple has denied any wrongdoing in the matter. The company has previously argued that it could face fines of up to $38 billion if regulators base penalties on its global turnover, according to Reuters.

    The case is one of several antitrust challenges Apple is currently facing worldwide. India has emerged as a strategically important market for the company, with iPhones now holding a 9% market share, up from 4% two years ago, data from Counterpoint Research shows, per Reuters.

    Related: Apple Seeks Court Block on India Antitrust Probe’s Demand for Global Financial Data

    Although the regulator has granted Apple an additional two weeks to submit its response, it has also scheduled a final hearing for May 21—an unusual move at this stage of proceedings. Legal experts say this signals a tougher stance from the watchdog.

    “Apple has the opportunity right now to submit its financials supported by an auditor’s certificate and then argue on quantum of penalty during the hearing based on these financials,” said Gautam Shahi, an antitrust partner at Dua Associates. “In case it fails, its arguments on quantum of penalty will be constrained accordingly.”

    The origins of the case date back to 2021, when a non-profit group raised concerns about Apple’s business practices. The complaint later gained support from companies including Match Group, which owns Tinder, as well as several Indian startups. According to Reuters, a 2024 investigation report concluded that Apple had abused its dominant position by requiring developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system.

    Apple has countered that it remains a relatively small player in India’s smartphone market, where devices running Google’s Android operating system dominate, according to Reuters.

    The April 8 order also revealed that Apple had asked the regulator in March to pause the proceedings while the Delhi High Court reviews its challenge to India’s penalty rules. The CCI rejected that request, maintaining that the company is attempting to delay the case, per Reuters.

    Source: Reuters