Apple has significantly escalated its long-standing legal battle with India’s competition regulator. In a recent submission dated June 25, 2026, the iPhone maker accused the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of failing to conduct an independent investigation into its App Store practices. Instead, Apple claims that antitrust investigators simply “copy-pasted” allegations filed by the company’s own business rivals, effectively parroting their complaints without verifying the facts.
The dispute stems from a multi-year investigation that began in 2021. The CCI initially concluded in 2024 that Apple abused its dominant market position by forcing app developers to use its proprietary in-app payment system. This forced integration, according to the regulator, unfairly restricted competition and limited choices for developers and consumers alike. Apple has consistently denied these claims, arguing that it remains a minor player in India with a smartphone market share of under 6%.
In its latest defense, Apple provided detailed comparison tables in its submission to the CCI. These documents aim to show that the regulator’s investigative report contains verbatim repetitions of arguments made by opponents, including Tinder parent company Match Group, and prominent Indian startups like Paytm and Walmart-backed PhonePe. Apple contends that the Director General made no meaningful effort to critically assess these statements, choosing instead to replicate them word-for-word.
This legal confrontation has high stakes for the tech giant. Apple has previously expressed deep concern over potential penalties, which could be calculated based on its global turnover rather than just its Indian operations. While the company maintains that these calculations would be disproportionate, analysts have noted that the potential fines could reach as high as $38 billion under specific interpretations of Indian law. Apple is currently fighting that legislation in a separate case before the Delhi High Court.
For years, the investigation into Apple’s ecosystem has been a major point of friction. After previously refusing to submit certain financial documents, Apple agreed in early June 2026 to provide India-specific financial data. This move was widely seen as a step toward resolving the probe. However, this new accusation of “copy-pasted” investigative work suggests that Apple is not prepared to accept the findings of the CCI without a fight. The company is now formally calling for the regulator’s current findings to be thrown out entirely.
The pressure on Apple in India comes as the country grows in importance for the company’s global strategy. India now accounts for 9% of Apple’s smartphone market share, a notable jump from about 2% just five years ago. As Apple continues to expand its manufacturing footprint in the region, regulatory uncertainty remains a significant barrier to its long-term investment plans. Both parties are now scheduled to meet for a closed-door hearing on July 21, 2026, where the validity of the investigation and the resulting allegations will likely take center stage.
