Apple Faces Legal Battle in India Over App Store Antitrust Probe

Apple has petitioned an Indian court to block the Competition Commission of India (CCI) from demanding its global financial records. The tech giant is contesting antitrust allegations related to its App Store practices, which the CCI claims demonstrate market dominance abuse. Apple argues the investigation could expose it to penalties up to $38 billion if regulators calculate fines based on worldwide revenue.

The legal showdown escalated when Apple challenged India's 2024 penalty regulations, a case still pending. Despite this, the CCI proceeded with a December 31 directive requiring financial disclosures. In response, Apple filed a January 15 petition with the Delhi High Court seeking to pause both the information request and broader investigation.

Legal representatives contend compliance WOULD undermine Apple's core argument against India's penalty framework. The CCI maintains its authority to investigate, setting up a pivotal test of regulatory jurisdiction over multinational tech firms.