- The report from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) will be reviewed by senior officials
An investigation by India’s antitrust body has revealed that Apple misused its dominant market position in the app store market on its iOS operating system.
According to a report by Reuters, this revelation comes from a confidential report seen by the news agency, triggering an official inquiry. Apple refutes the claims, asserting its minor presence in India compared to the dominance of Android devices.
However, the CCI report asserts that Apple exerts “significant influence” over digital products and services through its iOS platform and App Store.
“The Apple App Store is a critical partner for app developers, leaving them with no option but to comply with Apple’s unfair terms, such as the mandatory use of Apple’s proprietary billing and payment system,” stated the CCI report.
“For app developers, the Apple iOS ecosystem is indispensable.”
What’s the next step?
Senior officials will scrutinize the CCI report, allowing Apple and other parties to present their responses before a final decision is made, potentially resulting in fines and other directives.
Apple’s antitrust challenges extend beyond India, as it faces heightened scrutiny on a global scale. In June, EU regulators accused Apple of violating tech regulations, which could lead to substantial penalties. Additionally, Apple is under investigation for its new fees imposed on app developers.
In response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple intends to permit software developers to distribute apps outside its App Store in the EU following the resolution of its dispute with Epic Games.
