NEW DELHI: Apple has asked Indian authorities to throw out antitrust findings against its App Store, arguing that investigators relied on “copy-pasted” claims from rival companies instead of conducting an independent investigation.
According to Reuters, Apple made the argument in a submission to the Competition Commission of India, which had concluded that the company abused its control over the App Store and in-app payment system.
Apple challenges findings
Apple prepared tables to show that the investigation team had repeated submissions from companies involved in the case, including Match, PhonePe and Paytm.
The company also accused the commission of copying a graphic from a 2024 European Union ruling, despite what Apple said were different market conditions in India.
Apple and the Competition Commission have been locked in a long dispute over the case, including how any possible penalty should be calculated.
The commission argues that penalties can be based on Apple’s global turnover, while Apple says they should be limited to relevant revenue earned in India.
Regulatory uncertainty warning
Apple described itself as a “minuscule player” in India and warned that forcing changes to the App Store could create regulatory uncertainty and discourage investment in the country’s digital economy.
Similar arguments by major technology firms have previously failed before Indian regulators, including in Google’s Android antitrust case.
