Apple accuses India's CCI of 'copy-pasting' rivals' claims in App Store antitrust probe

Apple has escalated its fight with India's antitrust regulator ahead of a closed-door July 21 hearing, challenging investigators over App Store conduct and payment mandates. A turnover-based fine of up to 10% looms even as Apple deepens its India retail and manufacturing bet, targeting 26% of iPhones by 2026 and $51 billion in exports.

— Source publishedMon, 29 Jun, 2026, 16:20 IST·First seen Mon, 29 Jun, 2026, 16:25 IST·Source Mint

What happened

Apple has escalated its fight with India's CCI, accusing investigators of copy-pasting rivals' claims in an antitrust probe over App Store conduct and payment

Key facts

  • under 6% smartphone share
  • 10% turnover fine
  • 26% iPhones by 2026
  • $51 billion exports
  • July 21 hearing

Why this matters

Apple's deepening India retail and manufacturing commitments are now entangled with regulatory antitrust risk, signaling that partnership and supply-chain expansion plans should hedge against adverse App Store rulings.

What to watch

  • July 21 hearing outcome and any interim CCI order
  • Size of any turnover-based fine relative to India revenue vs global turnover interpretation
  • Whether CCI mandates third-party payment/sideloading akin to EU DMA
  • Apple progress disclosures on 26% iPhone output and $51B export targets
  • Parallel global App Store rulings (EU, US Epic) cited as precedent
  • Apple files detailed procedural objections and may seek to expand closed-door scope or recuse investigators
  • CCI Director General defends evidentiary basis; possible interim directions on App Store commission structure
  • Apple separately accelerates India manufacturing/retail announcements to frame itself as economic partner
  • Indian developer groups and Match-type complainants lobby publicly to counter Apple's framing

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